Delius: In a Summer Garden

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.

Frederick Delius (1862-1934) was born in Bradford of parents who had been born in Germany. His father was a successful wool merchant and although he allowed his son to study music he did not regard it as a career option. On leaving school he therefore joined the wool company but he proved unreliable; he did, however, visit Norway and Paris on the firm’s business and met life-long friends. In 1884 he was allowed to go to Florida as an orange grower. This gave him freedom from family pressures – he neglected the oranges but studied music and was greatly influenced by the music of the plantation negroes. He developed one of the most individual and easily recognisable harmonic and melodic styles of composition. He was strongly supported by the eminent conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham, who gave numerous performances of his work and clearly established an appreciation for it amongst its listeners. Some critics have remarked that whilst his formula for composition was artistically successful it was so but within a strictly defined and narrow emotional and expressive range – certainly this is borne out by the popularity of the shorter works which form the vast majority of this collection, especially the exquisite sensuous idylls catching the lights, sounds, perhaps even the smells of the English countryside.

His last ten years were blighted by illness and in 1928 Eric Fenby became his amanuensis thereby enabling the composer to complete a number of works including A Song of Summer.

He died virtually a recluse in Grez-sur-Loing and, as French law forbade his burial in his garden, his remains were removed from Grez’s cemetery after a year and moved to Limpsfield in Surrey.

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.

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.

This new release in the SOMM Beecham Collection series coincides with the Beecham 50th anniversary this month.

Schubert’s Symphony No.9 was never recorded commercially by Beecham, so this live performance is valuable document which will have worldwide appeal.

The Schubert was recorded in 1955 at the Royal Festival Hall.