Frank Bridge (Feb. 26, 1879 - Jan. 10, 1941) was an English composer, conductor and violist. Born in Brighton, Bridge attended the Royal College of Music in London from 1899 to 1903, and spent much time playing in quartets, along with conducting as well. He decided to devote himself to composition, with one of his most famous students being Benjamin Britten, who respected and admired his teacher deeply.

Bridge's first compositions were chamber works, written while he was in school, and shortly after leaving he wrote his first orchestral work. The years immediately following were filled with works that were more mature, and his orchestral output increased, including the work The Sea. Written in 1910-11, The Sea is an orchestral suite in four movements, which Bridge supplied some comments for the premiere.

Seascape: Allegro ben moderato

"Seascape paints the sea on a summer morning. From high drifts is seen a great expanse of waters lying in he sunlight. Warn breezes play over the surface."

Sea Foam: Allegro Vivo

"Sea foam froths among the low-lying rocks and pools on the shore, playfully not stormy."

Moonlight: Adagio non troppo

"A calm sea at night. The fist moonbeams are struggling to pierce through dark clouds, which eventually pass over, leaving he sea shimmering in full moonlight."

Storm: Allegro energico - Allegro moderato e largamente

This Romantic, rich work has dollops of Impressionism here and there, and is lush in colors and textures, much like the actual sea itself. Bridge captures the moods and characteristics of the sea incredibly well in this symphonic tone poem, that surely deserves to be programmed far more often than it is!


Here are some recordings of this for you to enjoy!

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic