Search - Frederick Delius, Vernon Handley, Hallé :: In a Summer Garden: The Music of Delius

Superb Music

Down under reviewer | Perth, Australia | 03/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Classics For Pleasure CD is a new release of older material from two previous albums. Unlike previous releases this contains nearly 80 minutes of music so it is excellent value.



Delius is often described as a British composer, which is slightly inaccurate. He had German parents, he lived in the United States, travelled to France and Germany as well as other parts of Europe before settling in France. He was in many ways an International Composer. His music may seem curiously eclectic. Think of Debussy with a bit of a Grieg melody and Wagnerian drama thrown in. Yet his music seems all the more distinctive because of it.



Vernon Handley's interpretation of these pieces have often been regarded as a bit too emotional, much like other British Conductors like Barbarolli and Beecham who recordings are yardsticks which others are measured. Yet Brigg Fair has an incredible lyricism and the rare Eventyr combines the Debussian impressionism with drama. The use of percussion and the shouting voices, presumably from the orchestra itself, in the hands of Handley come across so vividly. This piece alone with Handley's direction brought Delius to my attention. I now enjoy Delius' music more than I do say Elgar, Holst and Vaughan Williams.



This is a great introduction to Delius' music and can be recommended with enthusiasm."