Search - William Prideaux, Granville Bantock, Vernon Handley :: Bantock: The Song of Songs; The Wilderness and the Solitary Place; Pierrot of the Minute; Overture to a Greek Tragedy

Another superb installment in the series

G.D. | Norway | 09/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The recent death of Vernon Handley and the fact that the six discs of Granville Bantock's orchestral music has been gathered together in a box set suggest that this is the last release in Hyperion's survey. Which is a pity indeed, since there is an extensive body of tantalizing titles left unrecorded. Still, I am grateful for what we've already got, especially when it is as magnificently performed and recorded as these series (and the present one is no exception). As with the other disc, this one displays Bantock as an eminent orchestrator, but one who could use the orchestra for more than mere pyrotechnics, indeed rather to emphasize strong themes subjected to skillful and clever developments and cogent argumentation. His assured compositional technique is certainly able to support large-scale structures without losing the listener's interest.



The main item here is the selection from the Song of Songs, a two-and-a-half hour long `lyric drama' for soprano, tenor and a large orchestra; sumptuous, late-romantic music, often fervently powerful and luxuriantly scored, and containing some distinguished thematic material (we got the extensive prelude on the previous volume). Handley leads an energetic, well-played and subtly characterized performance - indeed one couldn't hope for a better one - and the soloists are strong. Highlights include at least the ecstatic orchestral fantasy of the first section and the blissful duet from the Fifth Day, but the selections offered here are consistently inventive and imaginatively scored and contains much superb music. A pity we couldn't have had the whole work.



The Wilderness and the Solitary Place is a stirring piece (a selection from the huge work Christus), colorfully scored and a resourceful treatment of what is already quite distinguished thematic material. The Overture to a Greek Tragedy, based on the Oedipus saga, is another stirring work; dark, majestic and uneasy in spirit, contrasting riveting war music with the enchanting pastoral music for Antigone. The Pierrot of the Minute is one of Bantock's most popular works with its effective contrast of almost dreamlike, evocative gossamer-light fairy-music and the thumping of Pierrot in a work of real sweep and atmosphere. All three works are given superb performances here. The sound quality is magnificent as well, and even though this might not be the disc with which to start your Bantock collection (the volumes containing the Hebridean and Celtic symphonies, or the volume containing Sappho, are probably the best candidates), it can be strongly recommended."