Search - Bax, Lloyd-Jones, Royal Scottish Nat'l Orch :: Bax: Symphony No. 4; Nympholept; Overture to a Picaresque Comedy

Magnificent Fourth

Joshua Grasso | Oxford, OH USA | 10/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So far, this is my favorite Bax release on Naxos. I only discovered Bax two years ago, so each recording I run across is a revelation. But this disc is truly exceptional. I guess I can understand why these works aren't popular in the way Elgar or Vaughan-Williams are, but on the other hand, everything is here: melody, drama, masterful orchestration, narrative brillance, and length that is completely justified by the material. This is a bargain disc in every meaning of the word--I can't imagine a release with a more enjoyable program. It starts out with the "Overture to a Picaresque Comedy," which is sheer genius--an overflowing of Straussian spirits which is more than pastiche. The orchestration is brilliant, and the tunes are unforgettable. Next is the dreamy, otherworldly "Nympholept," which displays Bax's genius in musical narration (even when you don't know the story). But the highlight is his very original (in my mind) Fourth Symphony, with an opening that is unmatched in his symphonic oeuvre. The symphony conjures up images and impressions of the sea, but is quite unlike La Mer; instead, it flits between drama and legend, romance and introspection. The symphony grows with each listen, and so far, I consider it among his strongest and most inpsired symphonies. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra plays with fire and gusto, led by the extremely capable David Lloyd-Jones. I will probably never see a live performance of Bax's Fourth in Ohio, but this disc more than makes up for it. Yet another success in Naxos's brilliant British music series!"

An excellent contemporary performance

Wildfire | UK | 04/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"David Lloyd-Jones is carrying off his Bax Symphony cycle with panache. This is a committed, thoroughly competent performance of both 4th Symphony and Nympholet. Compared with a BBC Radio 3 performance of Nympholet years ago it is lighter, airier and more in character with the work's programme.
It compares well with Bryden Thompson's 4th, one of Thompson's best renderings of a Bax Symphony, very worthy of consideration, though the recording acoustic is a little blurry. However, at Naxos prices, one can hardly go wrong with the Lloyd-Jones."

A very fine recording, but outshone by the competition

G.D. | Norway | 01/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Naxos's cycle of the symphonies of Arnold Bax with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under David Lloyd-Jones is one of the greatest achievements of their impressive catalogue, with performances that can easily match and often surpass the eminently impressive Bryden Thomson ones (I have to admit that I haven't yet heard the celebrated Handley cycle). That said, I am unsure whether this recording of the fourth is among the best of the series - it is, firstly, not Bax's strongest symphony (though it is still a mightily impressive work of vivid colors, lush textures and fantastic atmospheres), and secondly it was featured on what was, perhaps, the strongest installment in the Thomson series - in this case I have to say that Lloyd-Jones doesn't quite manage to match the older Chandos recording.



But it is still a very good performance, exhibiting many of the same qualities - one drawback, however, is the choice of tempi; Lloyd-Jones is generally faster than Thomson, and while newcomers might not notice, comparisons reveal that Thomson's account is just a little more atmospheric and natural-sounding, in particular in the first movement, and thereby achieves a clarity and sinewy power that, at least to a certain extent, eludes Lloyd-Jones. That said, there are many magnificent touches to this version, and Lloyd-Jones manages to bind the slightly episodic work together convincingly (the finale is marvelous).



Nympholept is an alluring, vibrant and colorful tone poem, and if it is not among Bax's very best it is still a splendid work, and it receives convincing advocacy here. The Overture to a Picaresque Comedy is a brilliant work, however, delightfully swaggering and sporting an absolutely fabulous, gorgeous middle theme. On the other hand, Lloyd-Jones and his Scottish players are just a little bit rushed here, losing some of the color nuances and textural details. The sound quality is good, but not as clear and vivid as on some of the earlier installments in the series. Still, this is a very fine release, strongly recommended on its own terms and an absolute must for followers of this series."