Delius: Caprice and Elegy for Cello & Piano (Two Pieces)

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 music of Delius has been recorded consistently ever since electrical recordings began, noticeably by conductor Thomas Beecham. This disc brings together a fascinating mix of familiar and less familiar Delius works, recorded on rare 78s between 1929-1955 by other devoted Delius interpreters such as John Barbirolli and Eugene Goossens.

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.