In the late 1930s and 1940s, Bliss composed much dramatic music, including three ballets, several film scores, and an opera co-written with JB Priestley. During the Second World War, Bliss wanted to contribute to the musical life of the country in a practical way and he offered his services to the BBC, where he became director of music 1942-4. It was a difficult period in his life as the war separated him from his wife and children, who had remained in America.
Music for Strings Northern Sinfonia, conductor Richard Hickox
Prologue; The Players: Dance of the Four Knights (Checkmate) English Northern
Philharmonia, conductor David Lloyd-Jones Adam Zero (excerpt) English Northern
Philharmonia, conductor David Lloyd-Jones Madeleine's aria (The Olympians, Act 2) Yvonne Barclay (soprano), Ian Storey (tenor), BBC Scottish Symphony
Orchestra, conductor Martyn Brabbins String Quartet No 2 Delme Quartet