Search - Delius, Barbirolli, Halle Orchestra :: Song of Summer

The Finest Delius Performances Ever Recorded

gbtreacy | Keyport, WA United States | 02/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Delians, if you haven't heard these absolutely magical, radiant performances, buy them immediately! Sir John is at his mystic, evocative best in these dawn, sunset and twilight pieces, and the playing of the Halle Orchestra is so spectacularly heart-rending, particularly in the 1956 stereo pieces which open the collection (originally released on the Pye label, and later as a Vanguard "Everyman" LP), that it is almost a wonder they could manage to finish the pieces without ascending into the heavenly realms. I became an ardent Delian after seeing the late 1960s BBC film, "A Song of Summer," (Ken Russell, same director as "Women in Love" with Alan Bates and Oliver Reed) and this was one of the first collections (I have them all!) I purchased of Delius' music. Of my 40,000 LPs, 5,000 CDs, and assorted cassettes and reel tapes, these have been by far my favorite classical music performances for nearly 35 years, and I treasure them. Having difficulty "getting in touch with your feelings"? - just try listening to "Walk to the Paradise Garden" - incredible. Find a copy and buy it!!"