COMPOSERS: Delius
LABELS: Sony Essential Classics
WORKS: Hassan; Sea Drift; An Arabesk
PERFORMER: Lesley Fry, Bruce Boyce, Einar Nørby (baritone), Arthur Leavins (violin), Frederick Riddle (viola) BBC Chorus, RPO/Thomas Beecham
CATALOGUE NO: SBK 62752 ADD mono
Beecham’s Delius recordings are still considered to be yardsticks and these are excellent, memorable performances. His Sea Drift is a powerful realisation of the pathos of the sea bird bewildered and devastated at the loss of his mate and set against seascapes reflecting the moods of the tragedy. Beecham’s magic also touches the exotic Eastern splendour of Hassan, the autumn gales and winter frosts of the North Country Sketches and the frightening myths and legends of Eventyr. Important reissues spoilt by woefully inadequate booklets that omit recording dates (Fifties), mono indications and texts, especially irritating for An Arabesk sung in Danish. Ian Lace
Delius: Hassan; Sea Drift; An Arabesk
Beecham’s Delius recordings are still considered to be yardsticks and these are excellent, memorable performances. His Sea Drift is a powerful realisation of the pathos of the sea bird bewildered and devastated at the loss of his mate and set against seascapes reflecting the moods of the tragedy. Beecham’s magic also touches the exotic Eastern splendour of Hassan, the autumn gales and winter frosts of the North Country Sketches and the frightening myths and legends of Eventyr.
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:11 pm