COMPOSERS: Parry
LABELS: EMI British Composers
WORKS: Symphony No. 5; Blest Pair of Sirens; Symphonic Variations; Elegy for Brahms
PERFORMER: LPO & Choir/Adrian Boult
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 5 65107 2 ADD (1979/67)
Parry’s was not a strikingly original voice. Steeped in the traditions of Brahms and Schumann, with a sprinkling of Tchaikovsky (track 1, at 4:24 mins, sounds like a tranquillised variant of the finale in Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony), his music is decidedly derivative. To be fair, though, the Elgarian element is largely anticipatory. But what better repertoire for Adrian Boult? His control is impeccable, the balance well-judged, and the dynamic range impressive. An attractive and undemanding programme. Wadham Sutton
Parry: Symphony No. 5; Blest Pair of Sirens; Symphonic Variations; Elegy for Brahms
Parry’s was not a strikingly original voice. Steeped in the traditions of Brahms and Schumann, with a sprinkling of Tchaikovsky (track 1, at 4:24 mins, sounds like a tranquillised variant of the finale in Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony), his music is decidedly derivative. To be fair, though, the Elgarian element is largely anticipatory. But what better repertoire for Adrian Boult? His control is impeccable, the balance well-judged, and the dynamic range impressive. An attractive and undemanding programme. Wadham Sutton
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:32 pm