COMPOSERS: Rawsthorne
LABELS: Naxos
ALBUM TITLE: Rawsthorne
WORKS: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3
PERFORMER: Charlotte Ellet, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, David Lloyd Jones
CATALOGUE NO: 8.55748
This disc of Alan Rawsthorne’s three
symphonies is well timed to celebrate
the centenary of this neglected British
composer. The First (1950) is a
good introduction to his style, with a
touch of Waltonian brusqueness and
breeziness never offset by Walton’s
comfortable lyricism, and a strong
sense of symphonic argument – if
perhaps not sufficiently clinched by
the finale. The Second, A Pastoral
Symphony (1959), is more relaxed,
with a clod-hopping ‘Country Dance’
of a scherzo; but the slow movement’s
rural idyll seems threatened by an
intrusive march episode, and the gentle
closing setting of an Elizabethan poem
is tinged with melancholy. The Third
(1964) is overall the most successful,
with the feeling of genuine, tough
symphonic argument running through
all four, continuous movements to an
entirely convincing quiet conclusion.
These are remarkably confident and
assured performances, paced by David
Lloyd-Jones’ firm, experienced hand.
Charlotte Ellett brings a sweet tone
to the finale of No. 2. The recording
lacks something in immediacy, but
nothing in clarity or internal balance.
With Lyrita’s compilation of the
three Symphonies currently out of
the catalogue, this newcomer has the
field to itself. But in any case it would
deserve success. Anthony Burton