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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Delius: Danish Masterworks
“This collection of Delius's Danish inspirations, beautifully performed and recorded, makes a delightful disc, including as it does rarities that are otherwise unavailable. Even if 'masterworks' is a bit of an exaggeration, the pieces here all show Delius at his most characteristic, drawing on his deep sympathy for Scandinavia and its culture.
Significantly, the performances under Bo Holten tend to be faster and often more passionate than those on rival recordings, such as in Unicorn's admirable Delius Collection.
An Arabesque dates from 1911, but all the other vocal items were written much earlier. In many ways the conventional picture we have of Delius, as the blind and paralysed composer of his later years, is misleading, failing to reflect what we know of the younger man, active and virile, a point that Bo Holten has clearly registered. It's good to have the Seven Danish Songs of 1897 as a group in Delius's own sensuous orchestrations.
The self-quotations in the ballad- like 'Irmelin Rose' are the more telling in orchestral form, and the most beautiful song of all, 'Summer Nights', is magically transformed in its atmospheric evocation of a sunset.
Delius also orchestrated two separate Danish songs, 'The Violet' and Summer Landscape as well as Sakuntala, prompting Holten to orchestrate the five other Danish songs, which here form another orchestral cycle. These, too, are more beautiful than with piano, even though Holten is less distinctive than Delius himself in his use of orchestral colour, notably in woodwind writing. All these songs are sung in the original language, where the Unicorn series opted for the English translations which Delius either made himself or approved. The two singers here may not be as characterful as such British soloists as Felicity Lott, Sarah Walker or Thomas Allen (in An Arabesque), but they both have fresh young voices, clear and precise, with Henriette Bonde-Hansen shading her bright soprano down to the gentlest pianissimos. The choral singing, too, is excellent in An Arabesque.
The Fennimore and Gerda 'Intermezzo' is relatively well known, but Lebenstanz ('Life's Dance'), inspired by a play of Helge Rode, is a rarity, otherwise available only on Unicorn conducted by Norman Del Mar. Here, too, Holten opts for marginally faster speeds in a piece depicting (in the composer's words) 'the turbulence, the joy, energy, great striving of youth'. The dance sections – one of them surprisingly Straussian – are punctuated by typically reflective passages, and the depiction of death at the end is peaceful and not at all tragic.
The Aarhus Symphony Orchestra respond warmly to Holten's idiomatic direction, and the refined playing is quite closely balanced in a helpful acoustic.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | The Beecham Collection
Released in collaboration with the Sir Thomas Beecham Trust in support of the Scholarship Fund. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Delius, Howells & Hadley
Delius: | A Mass of Life Heather Harper (soprano), Helen Watts (contralto), Robert Tear (tenor), Benjamin Luxon (baritone) London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves Songs of Sunset Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano, John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves An Arabesque John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves String Quartet (1916) Britten Quartet | Hadley, P: | My beloved spake James Lancelot (organ) Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks I sing of a maiden Francis Grier (organ) Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Philip Ledger The Hills Felicity Palmer (soprano), Robert Tear (tenor), Robert Lloyd (bass) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Cambridge University Musical Society Chorus, Philip Ledger | Howells: | Phantasy String Quartet, Op. 25 Britten Quartet In Gloucestershire, (String Quartet No. 3) Britten Quartet Hymnus Paradisi Heather Harper (soprano), Robert Tear (tenor) New Philharmonia Orchestra, Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Bach Choir, Sir David Willcocks Concerto for string orchestra Dennis Simons & Robert Growcott (violins), John Chambers (viola), Alexander Cameron (cello) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult |
A 5CD set containing titles from the acclaimed EMI British Composers series, based around the music of Frederick Delius and his contemporaries; Herbert Howells and Patrick Hadley. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | The Delius Collection
Delius: | Dance Rhapsody No. 1 Ed. Beecham Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman Del Mar A Song of the High Hills Maryetta Midgley, Vernon Midgley Ambrosian Singers & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Preludes Nos. 1, 2 & 3 Eric Parkin (piano) Polka - Zum Carnival Eric Parkin (piano) Fantastic Dance Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Dance Rhapsody No. 2 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Irmelin Prelude Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Violin Concerto Ralph Holmes (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley A Song of Summer Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby A Late Lark Anthony Rolfe Johnson Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Piano Concerto in C minor Philip Fowke (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman Del Mar The Walk to the Paradise Garden Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman Del Mar Songs of Sunset Thomas Allen, Sarah Walker Ambrosian Singers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Idyll 'Once I passed through a populous city' Thomas Allen, Felicity Lott Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Koanga: La Calinda Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Cello Sonata Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) Violin Sonata No. 1 in E major Ralph Holmes (violin) Eric Fenby Violin Sonata No. 2 Ralph Holmes (violin) Eric Fenby Violin Sonata No. 3 Ralph Holmes (violin) Eric Fenby Paris - Song of a Great City Ed. Beecham Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman Del Mar An Arabesque Thomas Allen Ambrosian Singers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Suite for Violin & Orchestra Ralph Holmes (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley Fennimore and Gerda: Intermezzo Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Songs of Farewell Ambrosian Singers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Cynara Thomas Allen Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Aquarelles (2) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Caprice & Elegy Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby Legende Ralph Holmes (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley Life’s Dance Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Norman Del Mar |
plus: Orchestral Songs 28.28 Scandinavian, French, English Songs with Piano 43.24 Felicity Lott, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Sarah Walker, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Eric Fenby.
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. “The present set, sumptuous in quantity and quality, is quite a coup for Heritage. The price is right and the content is classic...Classic Delius overwhelmingly in fruity early digital sound.” MusicWeb International, August 2012 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Delius: 150th Anniversary Edition
Delius: | Sleigh Ride Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Marche Caprice ed. & arr. Beecham Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Over the hills and far away ed. Beecham Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Dance Rhapsody No. 2 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Dance Rhapsody No. 1 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham On the mountains Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham The Walk to the Paradise Garden London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli A Song of Summer London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli Irmelin Prelude London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli Late Swallows Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli Appalachia (Variations on an old slave song) (includes rehearsal footage) Ambrosian Singers, Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli Paris - Song of a Great City Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras In a Summer Garden Hallé Orchestra, Vernon Handley Pieces (2) for Small Orchestra London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley Fennimore and Gerda: Intermezzo London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley Piano Concerto in C minor Piers Lane (piano) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley Florida Suite Revised and edited by Sir Thomas Beecham Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox Brigg Fair Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox Summer Evening arr. Beecham Northern Sinfonia of England, Richard Hickox Koanga: La Calinda arr. Fenby Northern Sinfonia of England, Richard Hickox Air and Dance Northern Sinfonia of England, Richard Hickox Hassan: Intermezzo & Serenade arr. Beecham Northern Sinfonia of England, Richard Hickox Aquarelles (2) arr. Fenby The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Sir Neville Marriner Lebenstanz Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves North Country Sketches Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves Sea Drift John Noble (baritone) Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves Cynara John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves Violin Concerto Yehudi Menuhin (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Meredith Davies Double Concerto for Violin and Cello Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Paul Tortelier (cello) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Meredith Davies Cello Concerto Jacqueline du Pré (cello) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent Dance arr. Eric Fenby Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Eric Fenby Koanga: La Calinda arr. Eric Fenby Elena Duran (flute) Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Eric Fenby Air and Dance arr. Eric Fenby Elena Duran (flute) Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Eric Fenby Five Little Pieces arr. Eric Fenby Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Eric Fenby Sonata for string orchestra arr. Eric Fenby Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Eric Fenby String Quartet (1916) Britten Quartet Violin Sonata No. 1 in E major Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Eric Fenby (piano) Violin Sonata No. 2 Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Eric Fenby (piano) Violin Sonata No. 3 Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Eric Fenby (piano) Legende Tasmin Little (violin), John Lenehan (piano) Cello Sonata Moray Welsh (cello), Israela Margalit (piano) Dance Igor Kipnis (harpsichord) Twilight Fancies Ian Bostridge (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) To be sung of a summer night on the water, No. 1 (wordless) Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Sir Philip Ledger Wanderer's Song Baccholian Singers of London The Homeward Way Marjorie Thomas (mezzo) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Twilight Fancies orch. Beecham Elsie Suddaby (soprano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Whither (Autumn) orch. Beecham Elsie Suddaby (soprano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham The Violet orch. Gibson Elsie Suddaby (soprano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Whither (Autumn) Dora Labbette (soprano) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham The Violet Dora Labbette (soprano) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham I-Brasîl Dora Labbette (soprano) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Young Venevil sung in German Dora Labbette (soprano) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Twilight Fancies Dora Labbette (soprano), Sir Thomas Beecham (piano) Cradle song Dora Labbette (soprano), Sir Thomas Beecham (piano) The Nightingale (from Five Songs from the Norwegian) Dora Labbette (soprano), Sir Thomas Beecham (piano) Irmelin Rose from Seven Danish Songs Dora Labbette (soprano), Gerald Moore (piano) So white, so soft, so sweet is she from Four Old English Lyrics Dora Labbette (soprano), Gerald Moore (piano) Le ciel est, par-dessus le toit Dora Labbette (soprano), Gerald Moore (piano) La lune blanche Dora Labbette (soprano), Gerald Moore (piano) To the queen of my heart (from Three Shelley Songs) Heddle Nash (tenor), Gerald Moore (piano) Love’s Philosophy (from Three Shelley Songs) Heddle Nash (tenor), Gerald Moore (piano) Caprice & Elegy Beatrice Harrison (cello) Chamber Orchestra, Eric Fenby Eventyr (once upon a time) Hallé Orchestra, Vernon Handley Hassan - incidental music Martyn Hill (tenor), Brian Rayner Cook (baritone) Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, Vernon Handley Songs of Sunset Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves An Arabesque John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves A Mass of Life Heather Harper (soprano), Helen Watts (contralto), Robert Tear (tenor), Benjamin Luxon (baritone) London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves Requiem Heather Harper (soprano), John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Choral Society, Meredith Davies Idyll 'Once I passed through a populous city' Heather Harper (soprano), John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Meredith Davies A Song before sunrise Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent Songs of Farewell Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Choral Society, Sir Malcolm Sargent Koanga Eugene Holmes (Koanga), Claudia Lindsey (Palmyra), Raimund Herincx (Don José Martinez), Keith Erwen (Simon Perez), Jean Allister (Clotilda), Simon Estes (Rangwan) London Symphony Orchestra, John Alldis Choir, Sir Charles Groves A Song of the High Hills Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Sir Charles Groves A Village Romeo and Juliet Benjamin Luxon (Manz), Noel Mangin (Marti), Colin Manley (Sali - as a child), Wendy Eathorne (Vrenchen - as a child), Elizabeth Harwood (Vrenchen), Robert Tear (Sali), John Shirley-Quirk (The Dark Fiddler) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, John Alldis Choir, Meredith Davies Fennimore and Gerda Elisabeth Söderström (Fennimore, Gerda), Brian Rayner Cook (Niels Lyhne), Robert Tear (Erik Refstrup) Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Danish Radio Chorus, Meredith Davies |
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