Search - Butterworth, Bradley, Rsno :: Symphonies Nos 1 & 4/Viola Concerto

Wonderful and evocative music of the north

Karim Elmahmoudi | San Francisco, CA USA | 08/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoyed this new recording of Butterworth's Symphony No. 4 and Viola Concerto. I highly recommend this CD if you enjoy the music of Vaughan Williams, Arnold Bax, and Jean Sibelius. This finely crafted music has driving energy, evocative mystical qualities, gorgeous melodies, and rugged landscapes. The music is well performed by the violist, Sarah-Jane Bradley and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra with the composer conducting and has a spacious quality to the recording. Also included is a very interesting lecture where the composer discusses his life, work, and influences. I thought it was particularly interesting hearing of his place in Brittish music both before and after him as he discussed his times and early musical influences. On CD 2, there is a recording of the Symphony No. 1 from 1958 performed by none other than Sir John Barbirolli. The performance and sound of this early recording is good and it complements the Fourth Symphony very well."