Delius: Cello Sonata

In the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries many British composers produced superb works for cello and piano, but few of these actually made their way into the general repertoire. Here we have four very different works by four very distinct musical personalities, performed by the cellist Paul Watkins, an exclusive Chandos artist, accompanied by his brother, Huw Watkins.

The sonata by Frederick Delius is the most widely known of the four pieces. Composed in a single, concise movement, it opens with a tune that sounds at one moment bold, and at the next wistful. The music progresses in the almost endless melodic flow so characteristic of Delius, before dissolving into a dream-like state, and finally, rising to a triumphant, full-hearted climax.

By the beginning of the 1900s, Sir Hubert Parry, as Director of the Royal College of Music, and patron of many musical institutions, was probably the most influential figure in British music. His Cello Sonata is a work of high romanticism, tempered by firm structural control and the organic development of themes – as befits a composer who had aspired (although unsuccessfully) to study with Brahms. The melodic language could in fact be described as Brahmsian, although Parry does not stringently imitate Brahms’s style, and in terms of structure, Parry’s strongly lyrical sonata owes little to the work which might have seemed a natural model – Brahms’s Sonata in E minor.

Sir Granville Bantock took much of his inspiration from distant and exotic shores. The term ‘Hamabdil’ refers to a hymn traditionally sung after the blessings said at the conclusion of the Jewish Sabbath. Bantock’s evocative elaboration of this traditional tune is austere and dignified, and originated in an entr’acte which was part of the incidental music that he had written for Arnold Bennett’s play Judith, premiered in London in 1919.

Out of the four composers on this disc, only John Foulds was a professional cellist. His sonata is a big and bold work, romantically expressive and emotionally charged, with a complex structure in place, and virtuoso writing for both instruments. In fact, in this true duo-sonata, it is the pianist, not the cellist, who often has the harder task to perform.

Hidden gems of the chamber music repertoire, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet's sublime recordings of the string quartets of Sibelius and Delius are released on CD for the first time, coupled with Delius's little cello masterpiece - his Sonata in one movement. Alan George of the Fitzwilliam Quartet provides the liner notes for the two pieces this ensemble has recorded and this reissue is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Rowland, first violinist, who recently passed away.

Friendships between major composers are often important and mutually beneficial, and they shed light on our perception and enjoyment of their music.

Schumann and Brahms, Stravinsky and Debussy, Wagner and Liszt, Holst and Vaughan Williams – in each case one life was influenced, aided, inspired and affected by the other in real and tangible ways. So it was, however unlikely it might seem, with Grieg and Delius.

The viola repertoire grew hugely during the 20th century, due in no small part to the pioneering efforts of the great soloist Lionel Tertis, whose own performing part for his viola transcription of Ireland’s Cello Sonata was consulted for this recording.

The transcription of Delius’s masterful Cello Sonata was made by the present violist, Martin Outram.

Gordon Jacob’s special affection for the viola shines through in his melodious sonata, while Malcolm Arnold’s Viola Sonata is quirky and highly original, and Lennox Berkeley’s Viola Sonata achieves a brilliant and witty finale.

Rare repertoire – two world premiere recordings of Esser & Mompou.

To mark the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Delius, Heritage is thrilled to announce the re-release of ‘The Delius Collection’, a 7 CD slim-line wallet box of benchmark Delius recordings which originally appeared on the Unicorn Kanchana label. At the heart of this set are the recordings made by Eric Fenby and the RPO – interpretations of those works that Fenby took down or edited whilst working with the composer in the capacity of amanuensis. Further recordings from the Delius oeuvre are conducted by two luminaries of English music, Norman Del Mar and Vernon Handley with contributions from Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Sarah Walker, Felicity Lott, Thomas Allen, Julian Lloyd Webber and Ralph Holmes amongst others. Extensive liner notes are provided by Robert Matthew Walker as well as a ‘Foreword’ by Delius and Fenby authority, Stephen Lloyd. Full texts are included in the commemorative 28 page booklet.

Marking the 150th Anniversary of Delius’ birth date in 1862, Decca Classics releases the ‘Delius Edition’ - the most comprehensive Collection of Delius’ music ever put together on 8CD and featuring noted Delius conductor Sir Charles Mackerras.

Containing all of Delius’s major work, this cap-box set combines the major orchestra & choral works of Brigg Fair, Sea Drift, In a Summer Garden, Florida Suite, The Walk to the Paradise Garden, Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto & Paris: Song of a Great City along with the major chamber music, such as the Cello Sonata, String Quartet and 4 Part Songs. The set culminates in Delius’s masterpiece, his opera, A Village Romeo and Juliet.

Featuring a cast of great artists and performers, including Thomas Hampson, Julian Lloyd Webber, the Fitzwilliam Quartet, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner & Sir Charles Mackerras.