Sullivan: Pineapple Poll & Irish Symphony

November 2007

*****

“…Charles Mackerras's ballet Pineapple Poll (1951) has become a light-music classic. David Lloyd-Jones gives the whole thing tremendous swing and rhythmic bite, with the Liverpool players on their top form, and the result is a delight.”

November 2007

“The Symphony is a different matter. …Lloyd-Jones has the edge on Hickox and the BBC Philharmonic… in the natural unfolding and emotional contrasts of the work. There's a more inherent urgency to the outer movements and greater attention to instrumental detail throughout. The second movement is especially beautifully done.”

2010

“A coupling of these works has never appeared before. Yet Mackerras's medley of Savoy melodies provides an ideal appetiser for Sullivan's Irish Symphony, distinguished by delightfully easy-going charm and lightness of touch.
Mackerras recorded Pineapple Poll complete three times, the versions marked more by progressive improvements in sound quality than by changes in interpretation. If Lloyd-Jones shaves the odd second or two off Mackerras's timings for individual movements, it's due as much as anything to the latter's greater flexibility in allowing the score to unfold. Lloyd-Jones is less successful, too, in drawing out the individual themes of the elaborately woven score.
The Symphony is a different matter. This new version is an improvement both interpretatively and sonically on the pioneering Groves version, one that also lacks the first movement's exposition repeat. More particularly, Lloyd-Jones has the edge on Hickox and the BBC Philharmonic (Chandos – above) in the natural unfolding and emotional contrasts of the work. There's a more inherent urgency to the outer movements and greater attention to instrumental detail throughout.
The second movement is especially beautifully done. Even for those who have an earlier version there's a strong case for this inexpensive newcomer. For those who don't, the recommendation is a clear one.”