Delius: Paris - Song of a Great City

Showcasing violinist Tasmin Little’s impressive versatility, these recordings highlight her sensitivity to both orchestral and chamber works. From the lyricism and blues-inspired melodies of Ravel’s Violin Sonata to the impassioned melodies of Delius’s Double Concerto, Little’s playing breathes life into every aspect of the music.

Five substantial pieces of 'classic' Delius are brought together on this remarkable and heartfelt tribute to the English composer (who spent very little of his actual career in England!), Frederick Delius.

These mono recordings with the LSO and Anthony Collins are true Legends and for the Eloquence reissue have been remastered for optimum enjoyment. They represent Decca's earliest recordings of this composer's music - and arguably, the best.

Of the works performed here by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the prominent Delius interpreter Sir Andrew Davis, the first three (Paris, the Piano Concerto, and Idylle de printemps) offer a fascinating insight into the early years of the development of Delius as a composer, when he was slowly and painstakingly honing his craft, and assuming the characteristic personal voice that is evident in more mature works such as Brigg Fair.

Paris, sub-titled ‘The Song of a Great City’, is strongly inspired by the composer’s many years of living and working in Paris. With large-scale orchestral forces, Delius paints opulent pictures of a city that he obviously loved. The slow opening portrays the still darkness falling over Paris; then the music changes pace and takes us through the teeming and intoxicating nightlife of the city, with impressions of exuberant dance music coming from the many cafés and music-halls. The opening material returns, culminating in the sounds of the awakening streets.

Until recently Delius’s Piano Concerto has been know exclusively in its final, one-movement form, which was first performed in London in 1907. The version recorded here, however, represents the composer’s earlier thoughts, from 1897. Performed by Howard Shelley, the work is brimming with full-bodied romanticism while showing the influences of Grieg and Liszt throughout.

The airy mood of Idylle de printemps points to later depictions of nature in Delius’s music, as in Brigg Fair, which Delius categorised as ‘An English Rhapsody’. Cecil Gray, the Scottish music critic and composer, described the opening of Brigg Fair as ‘evoking the atmosphere of an early summer morning in the English countryside’. The work is based on a folk-tune which came to light in a competition instigated by Percy Grainger in 1905 to find ‘the best unpublished old Lincolnshire folk song or plough song’. Grainger was immediately taken with the folk-tune, and having arranged it himself for solo tenor and chorus, he approached Delius to write orchestral variations on it – urging him on as the only composer worthy of the task. Delius was soon persuaded, and Brigg Fair became one of his best-loved works.

With two of the previous releases in this Delius cycle receiving Gramophone Editor’s Choice status, this fourth title carries a rich pedigree and will not disappoint. Henrietta Bonde-Hansen is considered to be one of the leading Danish sopranos and has cemented her status through her career on the opera stage in France. As ever Bo Holten leads the Aarhaus Symphony Orchestra through the delights of this French inspired repertoire.

The best-loved and most popular works by Frederick Delius, performed by the world’s leading artists, in an accessible format at budget price as part of the ESSENTIAL CLASSICS series.