COMPOSERS: Stanford
LABELS: Chandos
WORKS: Irish Rhapsody No. 1; Irish Rhapsody No. 2; Irish Rhapsody No. 3; Irish Rhapsody No. 4; Irish Rhapsody No. 5; Irish Rhapsody No. 6; Clarinet Concerto; Concert Piece for organ and orchestra; Oedipus Rex Prelude
PERFORMER: Raphael Wallfisch (cello), Lydia Mordkovitch (violin), Janet Hilton (clarinet), Gillian Weir (organ)Ulster Orchestra/Vernon Handley
CATALOGUE NO: CHAN 7002/3 DDD (1987-92)
Stanford was a prolific composer with a magnificent technical command of the orchestra, and all the music here sounds extremely well. Some of the pieces, notably the Clarinet Concerto and the Fourth and Sixth Rhapsodies – the latter with solo violin – are compelling indeed, though they are hardly known in our concert life. With a distinguished array of soloists, committed playing from the Ulster Orchestra and richly sonorous sound, these discs will give much pleasure. Terry Barfoot
Stanford: Irish Rhapsody No. 1; Irish Rhapsody No. 2; Irish Rhapsody No. 3; Irish Rhapsody No. 4; Irish Rhapsody No. 5; Irish Rhapsody No. 6; Clarinet Concerto; Concert Piece for organ and orchestra; Oedipus Rex Prelude
Stanford was a prolific composer with a magnificent technical command of the orchestra, and all the music here sounds extremely well. Some of the pieces, notably the Clarinet Concerto and the Fourth and Sixth Rhapsodies – the latter with solo violin – are compelling indeed, though they are hardly known in our concert life. With a distinguished array of soloists, committed playing from the Ulster Orchestra and richly sonorous sound, these discs will give much pleasure. Terry Barfoot
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:32 pm