Search - Frederick Delius, Piers Lane, Yvonne Kenny :: Delius: Songs

A major contribution to Delius' recorded legacy

Rev. Ben Cox | Orlando, Florida | 06/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Delius is practically an unknown quantity to most of the American musical public. It seems not to matter whether they are musically educated of not; Delius' music is simply not in the main stream. The only reason I know anything about is that I spent two seasons studying with the LSO and got to know this music from Englishmen. What people do know and have heard of is the orchestral works like The Florida Suite, or the Walk to the Paradise Garden. What is neglected is Delius' song output and that's where this cd steps in to fill the gap.



This cd is beautifully recorded. The soprano (Yvonne Kenny) sings with sumptously realized piano accompaniments (Piers Lane) against a background of dark velvet silence. The songs are in English, French and German (Delius was of German background). Many of them have to do with nature and love in nature. These are common themes for Delius to explore. Ms. Kenny's voice is of a warm nature and good size. The range holds no threats for her and she expresses freely, much more than one would associate with a "lieder" style of program. Mr. Lane, while playing expertly, stays very much in the realm of accompanist, not soloist, reminding one of the late Gerald Moore.



This cd is an excellent way for the music public to meet Delius the song writer. I recommend it highly."