This was presumed to be lost but I was fortunate enough to discover, through much searching online, an autograph score residing in the archives of the library of North-Western University, Illinois, 4000 miles away! The very helpful library staff kindly made a copy of the music for me.
Completed in August 1879 the work is conservative in style for its time. Despite this it received a number of performances in some surprising places. These are noted, with dates, on the inside cover of the score. (click on image to enlarge)
For a relatively 'minor' composer this record of performance was impressive to say the least but certainly not typical. It was even revived after a ten year gap just two years before Macfarren died. Walter in his autobiography recounts an enthusiastic reception at the première in Brighton:
On the 5th of February, 1880, my overture, " Hero and Leander," was given at the Philharmonic as before mentioned, and my Symphony in B flat was produced at Kuhe's Brighton Festival on the 24th of the same month, and hence it has been nicknamed "The Brighton Symphony."
Many of the orchestral professors engaged at the Academy were likewise in Mr. Kuhe's Band, and others, as well as the leading students, volunteered to go down to Brighton, and thus increase the orchestra in support of their conductor, and the occasion was marked by great enthusiasm.
My dinner-party at the "Old Ship" (where I was located) was augmented by the arrival of my dear brother G. A. Macfarren, accompanied by his then secretary, the late Windyer Clark, both of whom had travelled down expressly to hear the Symphony, and returned the same night.
A reviewer from The Sussex Daily News likewise:
‘One of the prominent features in the concert was the performance by the orchestra of Walter Macfarren’s Symphony in B flat, composed expressly for the festival, and conducted by the composer. The talented professor of the Royal Academy has on previous occasions shown his great ability in orchestral writing, several of his latest works having been produced for the first time at Mr Kuhe’s Festival.
The symphony performed yesterday evening enhanced the popularity of the composer, and its hearty reception by the audience must be chronicled as one of the greatest successes of the present festival. Opening with a pleasing introduction, the composition is worked out in the orthodox style. Each movement was warmly applauded; the slow movement was pleasing and effective, replete with melodious beauties, which were finely interpreted by the orchestra. The short but brightly-written scherzo led to a brilliant finale, which again revealed the powers of the composer over the difficulties of orchestration in a work of such magnitude.
Although the symphony took nearly half an hour in its interpretation, the audience did not appear to tire, and, at its conclusion, the composer was rewarded by prolonged and hearty applause of a most enthusiastic character, compelling him to return and acknowledge the well-deserved plauditsto the performance of his work.
1st movement - Andante Lento : Allegro assai
Pizzicato at the start
Main theme of the Allegro
2nd movement - Andante poco Allegretto
Woodwind ensemble to open
3rd mov: Scherzo - Allegretto Leggiero
Clarinets introduce the main theme (a scherzo without a trio)
4th movement - Andante Lento: Allegro con Maesta
The Allegro after the repeat of the slow introduction from 1st mov
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