Frederick Delius: Piano Music

Track Listings

1. Dance for Harpsichord

2. (Preludes) I Scherzando

3. (Preludes) II Quick

4. (Preludes) III Con moto. With lively undulating movement

5. I Mazurka

6. II Waltz for a little girl

7. III Waltz

8. IV Lullaby for a modern baby

9. (Davyd Booth, violin obbligato) V Toccata

10. Zum Carnival

11. Pensées Mélodieuses (No. 2)

12. Badinage (Danse lente)

13. Presto leggiero

14. (Piano Pieces) I Valse (1890)

15. (Piano Pieces) II Rêverie

16. (Margot la Rouge (arr. Ravel)) Prelude

17. (Margot la Rouge) Duet

18. (Margot la Rouge) On hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring (arr. Gerard Bunk)

19. (Margot la Rouge) In a Summer Garden (arr. Philip Heseltine)

20. (Florida Suite (selections) (arr. Robert Threlfall)) Plantation Dance (at Sunset)

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
American Record Guide, January/February, 2001
Abramovic is one of a handful of pianists capable of making unfamiliar music inviting, charming, and able to withstand repeated listening. Excellent sound.

International Record Review, December, 2000
Abramovic is clearly an exceptional artist, with a notable feeling for Delius's music allied to a technical mastery. Excellent booklet notes.

Frederick Delius: Piano Music

Tracks:

Crisantemi
Carmen: Micaela's Aria
Serendae For Strings In E Major, Op.22: II - Tempo Di Valse
KINDERSZENEN, OP.15: Traumerei: No.7
Two Elegiac Melodies, Op.34: II - The Last Spring
Hassan: Serenade
Fantasia On 'Greensleves'
Londonderry Air
Elegie
Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op.42: Melodie In E-Flat Major, No. 3
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
I Love You
Woodland Sketches, Op.51: To A Wild Rose, No. 1
Henry V: Touch Her Soft Lips And Part: No.2
Pavane For A Dead Princess
Prelude To Irmelin
Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini, Op.43: Variation XVIII: Andante Cantabile

Customer Reviews:

LOVE THIS CD !!!.......2007-03-11

I was looking for a recording of Londonderry Air performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandandy. After listening to several sample clips on this CD, I ordered it. The entire CD is beautiful and relaxing. It's become one of my favorites.

Average customer rating:

Exceptional Collection

Bedroom Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000BWVBV
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Concerto For Harpischord, Strings, And Continuo No. 5 In F Minor, BWV 1056 - Raymond Leppard
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6, No. 12 - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Pavane For A Dead Princess - Steve Erquiaga
Romance For String Orchestra - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Carnival Of The Animals - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 - Alexandre Lagoya
En Bateau - l'ochestre de la suisse romande
Humming Chorus - BBC Concert Orchestra
Sicilienne - Steve Erquaiaga
Italiana - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Una Furtiva Lagrima - BBC Concert Orchestra
Chanson De Matin, Op. 15, No. 2 - BBC Concert Orchestra
Suite In E Major For Lute, BWV 1006A/1000 - Eduardo Fernandez
Touch Her Soft Lips, And Part - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Suite for Cello Solo No. 3 In C Major, BWV 1009 - Pepe Romero
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Julian Lloyd Webber
Pavane - Nicholas Kraemer
Serenade For Strings In E Major, Op. 22 - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields

Tracks:

O Mio Babbino Caro - BBC Concert Orchestra
Cavatina - Goran Sollscher
La Fileuse - L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande
Flower Duet (Sous Le Dome Epais) - BBC Concert Orchestra
Pied-En-L'Air - Nicholas Kraemer
Arioso - Steve Erquiaga
Two Aquarelles - English Chamber Orchestra
In Paradisum - Stephen Cleobury
After A Dream - Steve Erquiaga
Suite For Cello Solo No. 1 In G Major, BWV 1007 - Mischa Maisky
My Bonny Boy - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Concerto For Guitar In D Major, RV 93 - Eduardo Fernandez
Un Bel Di - BBC Concert Orchestra
Holbert Suite, Op. 40 - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Concerto For Oboe In D Minor, BWV 1059 - Heinz Holliger
Vissi D'Arte - BBC Concert Orchestra
Sheep May Safely Graze - William Bennett
Fantasia On Greensleeves - William Bennett

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Collection.......2003-12-31

I have heard many, many classical "mood" collections, and this is one of the best, with many surprise selections.
It is consistently restful and calming.
I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating:

Two and a half hours of divine music...what more can I say?

Heavenly Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
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Midnight Adagios
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ASIN: B0000DJZ7H
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Karl Munchinger
Meditation - Nigel Kennedy
In Paradisum - Iwan Edwards
Gymnopedie No. 1 - Charles Dutoit
Flower Duet - Joan Sutherland
The Swan - Jascha Silberstein
Sleepers Awake - Raymond Agoult
Humming Chorus - Vienna State Opera Chorus
Nimrod - Sir Georg Solti
Walk To The Paradise Garden - Sir Charles Mackerras
Pavane, Op. 50 - Iwan Edwards
Panis Angelicus - Julian Lloyd Webber
Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) - Anthony Way
The Lark Ascending - Iona Brown

Tracks:

Clair De Lune - Pascal Roge
Sheep May Safely Graze - Karl Munchinger
Symphony No. 3 - Second Movement (Excerpt) - Joanna Kozlowska
Stabat Mater - Judith Raskin
Ave Maria - Julian Lloyd Weber
Adagio - Miklos Perenyi
Ave Verum Corpus, K618 - Peter White
Andante Molto Mosso: Scene By The Brook - Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt
Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - Karl Munchinger
Largo - Colin Davis
Wiegenlied (Lullaby), Op. 49 No. 4 - Marisa Robles
Adagio - Valery Gergiev
Air On A G string - Sir Neville Marriner

Customer Reviews:

Two and a half hours of divine music...what more can I say?.......2006-02-27

Well, a lot! And since no one else has taken the trouble to review my favorite Adagios collection, I'm just gonna hafta go an' do it myself, won't I?

Starting with the stunningly gorgeous 'Jesu, joy of man's desiring' by Bach, this tape reels you in instantly. I'm not much of a fan of 'slow' and 'peaceful' music; I like the beautiful, sublime type that just makes you tingle all over whenever you hear it. (If only Canon in D was in this tape my cup of joy would overflow) Anyway, don't stop listening because Delibes' 'Flower Duet' comes soon after and it is the very meaning of divine. I listen to the taoe just to hear that one song over and over--but not too much, or it'll loose it's touch. This is a Opera duet (sorry, don't know technical terms, my passion is music, not the science of) sung by two women, for those of you out there like me who know practically nothing!! Gorgeous! Sugoi!! (That's Japanese)

Ahem.
The lovely 'Ombra mai fu' (which, I believe Elizabeth Bennet's sister horribly sings in the BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries) is another memorable piece (hear the previews of these titles, please) and finally, William Vaughan's 'The Lark Ascending' a sixteen minute piece of violin heaven played so expertly you will see larks flying in circles about your head--or is that because your noggen got whacked?

Well, as for the second CD, it wasn't quite as memorable, but it's up against perfection, ok? Brahms' 'lullaby' (yes, THAT lullaby) is really sweet and of course there's 'Claire de Lune', a favorite of the Adagios collection, besides 'Sheep may safely graze' and 'Air on a G string'. (Honestly, does EVERY Adagios collection have that one? It's not even that wonderful.)

But what am I going on and on for?
BUY IT!!!!

NOW!!!!

STOP THINKING ALREADY AND BUY IT!!!
=^-^=

Average customer rating:

Mostly valuable for the sonatas & suites
wonderful
Great record of Great cellist at Great budget price
A Great Compilation of Great Cello Music
Wonderful! Indispensable! So why only four stars..?

Les introuvables de Jacqueline du Pré
Edward Elgar , Frederick Delius , Camille Saint-Saens , Antonin Dvorak , Robert Schumann , Arnold Schoenberg , Franz Joseph Haydn , Fryderyk Chopin , Cesar Franck , Gabriel Faure , Max Bruch , Johann Sebastian Bach , George Frideric Handel , Ludwig van Beethoven , London Symphony Orchestra , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , New Philharmonia Orchestra , Chicago Symphony Orchestra , Sir John Barbirolli , Malcolm Sargent , Daniel Barenboim , Jacqueline du Pré , Valda Aveling , English Chamber Orchestra , Gerald Moore , Ernest Lush , and Stephen Kovacevich
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Brahms: Cello Sonatas [includes bonus DVD]
Jacqueline du Pre In Portrait
Jacqueline du Pré - The Concerto Collection
Brahms: Cello Sonatas
Jacqueline du Pré - a lasting inspiration

ASIN: B000002SCC
Release Date: 2002-08-05

Tracks:

Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio - Moderato
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: II. Lento - Allegro molto
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en mi mineur: In E Minor, Op. 85: IV. Allegro, ma non troppo
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra: Lento - Con moto tranquillo - Lento - Con moto tranquillo - Allegramente
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre n 1 en la mineur: In A Minor, Op. 33: I. Allegro non troppo
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre n 1 en la mineur: In A Minor, Op. 33: II. Allegretto con moto
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre n 1 en la mineur: In A Minor, Op. 33: III. Allegro non troppo

Tracks:

Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: II. Adagio ma no troppo
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: III. Finale (Allegro moderato)
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en si mineur: In B Minor, Op. 104: Waldesruhe (Silence Woods.) pour violoncelle et orchestre, Op. 68
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en la mineur: In A Minor Op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnell
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en la mineur: In A Minor Op. 129: II Langsam - Etwas lebhafter - Schneller
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en la mineur: In A Minor Op. 129: III Sehr lebhaft - Cadenza - Sehr lebhaft

Tracks:

Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en sol mineur: I. Allegro
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en sol mineur: II. Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en sol mineur: III. Allegro non tanto
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en re majeur, Hob. VIIb:2: I. Allegro moderato
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en re majeur, Hob. VIIb:2: II. Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestra en re majeur, Hob. VIIb:2: III. Rondo (Allegro)
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en ut majeur, Hob. VIIb: 1: I. Moderato
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en ut majeur, Hob. VIIb: 1: II. Adagio
Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre en ut majeur, Hob. VIIb: 1: III. Allegro molto

Tracks:

Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: I. Allegro moderato
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: II. Allegro con brio
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: III. Largo
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur, Op. 65: IV. Finale (Allegro)
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: I. Allegro ben moderato
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: II. Allegro
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: III. Recitativo - Fantasia (Molto lento)
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en la majeur: IV. Allegretto poco mosso
Elegie en ut mineur, Op. 24
Kol nidrei, Op. 47

Tracks:

Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: I. Prelude
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: II. Allemande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: III. Courante
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: IV. Sarabande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: V. Menuetto I & II
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 1 en sol majeur, BWV 1007: VI. Gigue
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en re mineur, BWV 1008: I. Prelude
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: II. Allemande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: III. Courante
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: IV. Sarabande
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: V. Menuetto I & II
Suite pour violoncelle seul No. 2 en sol majeur, BWV 1008: VI. Gigue
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: I. Grave
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: II. Allegro
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: III. Sarabande
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano en sol mineur: IV. Allegro
'Judas Maccabaeus' de Haendel, en sol majeur, woO.45: Variations sur le theme 'See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes

Tracks:

Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: I. Allegro ma non tanto
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: III. Adagio cantabile
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 3 en la majeur, Op. 69: IV. Allegro vivace
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 5 en re majeur, Op. 102 No. 2: I. Allegro con brio
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 5 en re majeur, Op. 102 No. 2: II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affeto
Sonate pour violoncelle et piano No. 5 en re majeur, Op. 102, No. 2: III. Allegro - Allegro fugato
7 Variations sur le theme Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen': 'La Flute enchantee' de Mozart, en mi bemol majeur Es-dur, Op.66
12 Variations sur le theme 'Ein Madchen oder Weibchen': 'La Flute enchantee' de Mozart, en fa majeur, Op.66

Amazon.com

Although most of this set is devoted to major cello concertos (Elgar, Saint-Saëns, Dvorák, Schumann, Haydn) that Du Pré played so well, perhaps the most treasurable recording is one of two Beethoven cello sonatas with the pianist Stephen Bishop (Kovacevich). Recorded very early in her career, these show Du Pré at her most eloquent, the early promise of a great career so cruelly interrupted. This set includes most of the cellist's best recordings. Too bad it's not 10 times the size. If the cellist's passion occasionally seems excessive, at least it's the right kind of flaw to have. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Mostly valuable for the sonatas & suites.......2002-07-02

Although Jackie du Pre's playing in the Elgar, Delius and Schoenberg concerti was superb, I for one simply find nothing to admire in that music. Perhaps this is my fault, perhaps not, but in general there are so many superb recordings of the Haydn and Dvorak concerti that only the sentiments surrounding her decline into MS and early death recommend them.

On the other hand, the recordings of the Chopin, Beethoven and other sonatas in the second 3 discs of this set are among the most moving recordings ever made. Jackie never had quite the golden tone or perfect technique of Feuermann or Yo-Yo Ma, and this shows itself more in the Bach unaccompanied cello suites where she plays a few scratchy-sounding turns, but the deep-down love and emotional commitment of her playing always communicated itself effectively. In short, then, I recommend this set for the sonatas & suites, but if you also enjoy these concerto recordings, you will love it all.

wonderful.......2001-04-22

this is a wonderful recording of some of the best cello music played by one of the worlds best cello players, the late jacqueline du pre. jackie had magic in her fingertips and listening to these recordings is pure joy, one of the best set I had the chance to hear.

Great record of Great cellist at Great budget price.......2000-11-04

The collection dosen't have Brahms's Cello Sonatas. But you picture her portrait by these 6 CDs( The cost is 7 dollars or less per one CD ). If you don't know what kind of cellist she was--yet, I want you to get it.

You would meet extraordinary emitted passion by Du Pre in Elgar( needlees to say, it is one of her most famous performance), Saint-Saens, Dovrak( in spite of unskillful conducting of Barenboim), Schumann. The set has not only her famous performance of the Concertos in disk 1-3, but also various Sonatas( Barenboim makes excellent piano playing in good harmony with his wife more than support) in disk 4-6.

Furthermore, the Bach's Cello Suite No.1 and No.2, as her only solo performance in this collection, are very interesting. Its passionate Bach(!!) is certainly like Du Pre.

Thanks EMI FRANCE for the great work!!

A Great Compilation of Great Cello Music.......2000-07-26

This collection, composed of the great works for the cello, is a must have in any serious classical music fan's library. It is an even better collection for the "newbie" to the genre. Jacqueline du Pre was undoubtedly one of the greatest artist of the century and her passion is well documented in this collection. Just get it...if you like classical music...you'll like this collection and the price is great too. What's to lose?

Wonderful! Indispensable! So why only four stars..?.......2000-03-19

This is definitely worth getting, and Amazon's price is right. Du Pre was one of the greatest ever (Yo-Yo Ma now owns her cello, in case any of you play Classical Music Trivial Pursuit), and I cry inwardly when I think of her early death. The Elgar Concerto alone on this set is enough to justify the purchase price. After she died, several "name" conductors vowed they would never perform or record it again with anybody, so strong was their memory of her. So why only four stars here? Two reasons: some of these performances are with hubby Daniel Barenboim conducting, and they just aren't quite in the same league as the other efforts. Just compare the Barbirolli Haydn and the Barenboim Haydn to see what I mean: both are slow-tempoed, and neither would be my top-drawer choice. But Barbirolli *almost* makes it work, and has a certain perverse logic, whereas DB is just dull and colorless and square. The second defect is the remastered sound, which oftentimes is not very good. Sure these are "historic" recordings, but they're not that old, most are stereo. Still, the sound is flat and clipped at the high end. This should not dissade anyone from getting this set, however. Just don't expect a sonic demo disc. You will get thrilling cello playing across a broad selection of repertoire.

Delius: Piano Concerto in C minor; Ireland: Piano Concerto in E flat major; Legend

Average customer rating:

A Brilliant Recording
ENGLAND'S IRELAND

Delius: Piano Concerto in C minor; Ireland: Piano Concerto in E flat major; Legend

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nápravník: Concerto symphonique; Fantaisie russe; Blumenfeld: Allegro
The Romantic Piano Concerto Vol. 40 - Herz: Piano Concertos Nos. 3-5
Rubinstein: Piano Concerto No. 4; Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 1
Kalkbrenner: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4
Moscheles: Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 5; Recollections of Ireland

ASIN: B000C8OVEG
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Tracks:

Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Largo
Maestoso Con Moto Moderato
Lento - Poco Piu Mosso - Broad
In Tempo Moderato
Lento Espressivo - Allegro - Cadenza
Allegretto Giocoso

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Recording.......2006-09-07

This is the first recording of the original version of the Delius Piano Concerto, dating from 1904. Although the concerto enjoyed some popularity the composer was not pleased with the finale and reworked the orchestration with the piano part being rewritten by Theodor Szanto, a pupil of Busoni). The resulting movement did not really work as well as Delius' other concertos. The themes of the first movement were influenced by Afro-American music the composer heard in Florida with the middle movement shows the influence of Grieg with the inclusion of a horn solo. I did not find the final movement to be quite as good as the first two movements and can understand why Delius wanted to revise it. The orchestra writing is very beautiful but the piano did not seem to blend well. Parts of the movement gave me the impression that the music had been written strictly for orchestra with the piano part added later. The long cadenza is nicely written and the concerto ends with a marvelous flourish for piano and orchestra together.

John Ireland's Legend was an attempt to create a second piano concerto and, although the music probably had a program, Ireland did not provide one. The music seems to evoking a mystical experience and a friend of the composer related that the music was based on a scene Ireland witnessed of some dancing children who disappeared into thin air. Ireland's Piano Concerto was written in 1930 for his then love interest Helen Perkin. It was seen at the time as the British response to Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto but certainly shares nothing with the older work. The first movement is colorfully orchestrated and has a catchy and brilliant writing for the piano. The middle movement reminds one of a romantic love song with an extended melody and quietly evocative orchestral colors. The final movement returns to the atmosphere of the first and brings the concerto to an energetic and brilliant conclusion.

The recordings could not be better with David Lloyd-Jones doing a fantastic job conducting the Ulster Orchestra. Piers Lane is an excellent soloist playing with great sensitivity. I highly recommend this disc.

ENGLAND'S IRELAND.......2006-02-14

John Ireland's piano concerto used to be performed fairly frequently when I was young. Even the so-called Legend, which is a second piano concerto manqué, used to feature with surprising frequency in BBC programming. These days I hear them far less often, so if this fine disc helps restore them to the popularity I feel they deserve it seems to me that we are all the gainers. For newcomers, or for those whose memories need refreshing, the liner-note is quite informative but slightly rambling and inconsequential. I was startled to read part-way through that 'We may never fully understand Ireland's sexuality' as I had no intention of even trying to, but as the writer then assured me that 'a brief consideration is central to both of his works on this CD' I read on. However it immediately turns out that 'we have very little to go on', so I guess the consideration had maybe better not be too central after all. In any case what this all seems to be about is his apparent attraction towards women considerably younger than himself, and I would not have thought that was particularly unusual or mysterious. One thing I seem to recall is that Ireland belonged in the tradition of eccentric English semi-recluses, living in some strange abode - a lighthouse or an upturned lifeboat on the edge of the fens or something of the kind. I have not been able to confirm this offhand, but if it's right it probably sheds more light on him than his elusive but hardly astonishing sexuality.

In fact the two works are perfectly easy to understand and enjoy without such extraneous clarification. The concerto in particular is a highly attractive piece, neither avant-garde nor reactionary. It makes not inconsiderable virtuoso demands, but only of the kind that today's virtuosi devour whole, and Piers Lane's account, in excellent but tactful 2005 sound that does not over-dramatise this English music, shows understanding and affection as well as an easy command. The Legend is not in the same league as a piece of music I should say, but it's something that any of us ought to be glad to add to our collections whether or not we would go out of our way to hear it at a concert.

The Delius is inordinately interesting for a quite different reason. It is billed as 'original version', but even that appears to be not quite the case. The liner-note explains the issue, but I have to warn you that it is as clear as mud on a foggy night. It will help if you ignore the writer's gratuitous and inexplicable fixation with the key of D flat major, as this is of no relevance whatsoever. What the rest of it comes down to is that the version of this concerto that we hear nowadays - when we hear it at all - diverges startlingly from what we are given on this disc, and that the version here is being given its first recorded performance. This edition of the concerto contains a lot of music in the last movement - and fine music at that - that was abandoned later. That is an obvious plus. However the style of the piano part reveals Delius as an amateur in that respect. It shows no real grasp of virtuoso writing and is full of big oompah chords in a Warsaw-concerto vein that led Delius to acquiesce in a wholesale rewriting of the piano part by Theodor Szanto, this in turn being subject to further tinkering by Beecham in the version we customarily hear. There is therefore no direct comparison to be made with other recordings when assessing the merits of the performance. What I found utterly fascinating however was to play this version of the concerto back-to-back with my historic Moiseivitsch/Lambert account, which presumably gives the Delius/Szanto/Beecham score, although the liner-note with my disc never lets on that there is any issue of alternative versions at all. Moiseivitsch was Moiseivitsch, and Szanto gave him a virtuoso solo part which he sets about with all the gusto and address you would expect. I think it fair to say that Lane does anything that can be done with the part he is given, and in fact in the finale Delius gets a little more adventurous and actually gives the soloist a bit more in the way of genuine concerto style than in the earlier movements. All that, plus the fact that this is music I would never otherwise have heard, puts this performance outwith any criticism so far as I'm concerned. And obviously the sound is to the same standard as in the Ireland works.

All this makes this a disc that I recommend earnestly for a number of reasons, which I have attempted to make clear. Delius's concerto may have been prompted by hearing the then-new concerto by Grieg, and just as music (forgetting the leaden piano writing) I would call it very much better music. It's not the finest Delius, but I'm not complaining, and I would suggest that anyone getting hold of it really ought to have the tarted-up version as well. For all its antiquity the Moiseivitsch peformance comes over really very well. There is also an account by Beecham with his wife Betty Humby-Beecham as soloist. I have heard this, although too many years ago to recall much about it. In the normal way of things Beecham is a more-or-less-automatic first choice in Delius, but this may be an exception. It is related that at the rehearsal Beecham was less than captivated by his wife's efforts, and when the studio personnel came to move the piano he called over to them 'I shouldn't bother, gentlemen. It will probably slink away by itself'. So you have been properly warned. As for Ireland's concerto, if it has fallen in the charts these days, I now have a fine modern performance of my own, and about time too.

Vaughan Williams, Delius: Piano Concertos; Finzi: Eclouge

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overlooked Vaughan Williams, even by me...

Vaughan Williams, Delius: Piano Concertos; Finzi: Eclouge

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Delius: Piano Concerto in C minor; Ireland: Piano Concerto in E flat major; Legend

ASIN: B000089HB6
Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

I. Toccata (Allegro Moderato)
II. Romanza (Lento)
III. Fuga Cromatica (Allegro) Con Finale Alla Tedesca
Allegro Non Troppo
Largo
Tempo Primo
Eclogue, Op.10

Customer Reviews:

overlooked Vaughan Williams, even by me..........2007-07-04

Although a very long time devotee to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, I had never heard his Piano Concerto until buying this disc. I never imagined that the piano could communicate the essence of Vaughan Williams' music & was also under the impression, based on the relative dearth of recordings, that his Concerto was an anomaly. Well, I was glad to find out that I was wrong - the Piano Concerto is a major work full of classic Vaughan Williams themes, that is completely satisfying on every level. If you love Vaughan Williams, you will appreciate his Concerto.

I have no basis to judge this performance as I am new to the music; however, I bought this disc because I think anything Vernon Handley records in the British repertory is pretty much authoritative. Repeated listenings reveal Piers Lane to be a fine pianist who truly understands Vaughan Williams. (The great price was also a plus.) There are a couple of recordings by Howard Shelley that are supposed to be excellent, one on Lyrita w/Handley & a later effort on Chandos w/Bryden Thomson, however, they have different pairings than this disc & are more expensive.

The companion pieces on this intelligently programmed disc are the Delius Piano Concerto & Finzi's Eclogue. I am very familiar with the Delius Concerto, having owned a record by Alexander Gibson & the LSO with pianist Jean Rudolphe Kars for at least 25 years. That record also had a very appealing reading of Debussy's Fantasy for Piano & Orchestra. In any event, this is an enjoyable work & I find that Handley/Piers Lane are actually better-rounded than Gibson/Kars.

Gerald Finzi's Eclogue, which was originally planned as a movement in a concerto that never came to pass, is ten minutes of elegiac music for piano & string orchestra. It's just beautiful & once you hear it, you'll want to start acquiring other music from this still under-appreciated master.

Very highly recommended!

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Cold Porridge
Stunningly Beautiful

Peace -- A Choral Album for Our Times

Manufacturer: Avie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Peace: Pure Classical Calm
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Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001

ASIN: B0001M1JHA
Release Date: 2004-05-24

Tracks:

O Magnum Mysterium
Alleluia
Blazen Muzh, Op.37
O Magnum Mysterium
Angus Dei
Song For Athene
Friede Auf Erden Op.13
Totus Tuus
To Be Sung Of A Summer Night On The Water
Lux Aeterna ('Nimrod')

Amazon.com

One very noticeable quality of this CD is the remarkable dynamic range of the choir: performing a cappella throughout, their training and commitment allows them to sing through the entire dynamic spectrum from pianissimo to fortissimo with all the gradations in between, thus giving the music, which is uniformly serene, even greater variety than is inherent in its several nationalities and styles. Victoria's "O magnum mysterium" has just the right spooky piety while the same text, set by the contemporary composer Morton Lauridsen, remains faithful to antiquity while injecting some new colors. Rachmaninov's flavorful "Blazen muzh" reaches a fine intensity; the crescendo and de-crescendo in Randall Thompson's six-minute meditation on the single word "Alleluia" is beautifully handled; Barber's vocal arrangement of his "Adagio for Strings," is, as ever, gorgeous, and Tavener's "Song for Athene" is one of his least annoying works, handsomely sung here. Schoenberg's somewhat thorny "Friede auf Erden" makes one sit up and think twice, while Gorecki's "Totus Tuus" remains a simply ravishing meditation on the Virgin Mary. Works by Elgar and Delius round out the program. The accompanying notes by conductor Llewellyn announce that he hopes that the singers are "contributing to Peace on Earth" with this CD, and while that's quite a goal, what I can tell you is that the 65 minutes of music here is intensely calming and floats above and through the listener. A glorious CD which makes a great gift for a friend---or to yourself. --Robert Levine

Product Description

''No praise can be too high for the singing of the 32 Handel and Haydn choristers.... [T]heir work is magnificent in tone, balance, diction, and feeling, and there is no sense of strain in even the most demanding, high-flying passages.'' -- Richard Dyer, Boston Globe, April 30, 2004 PEACE | a choral album for our times is one of the 21st century's most acclaimed and best-selling CDs of a cappella choral music. Peace offers a rich collection of popular a capella works including the popular Agnus Dei of Samuel Barber; John Tavener's Song for Athene; Randall Thompson's Alleluia; Elgar's Lux Aeterna (Nimrod); and compositions by Rachmaninoff, Schoenberg and American composer Morten Lauridson. PEACE provides over one hour of beautiful and inspiring music.

Customer Reviews:

Cold Porridge.......2005-07-15

The choral singing is crude and sloppy throughout this album. The whole product has the sound and look (is that an alien on the cover?) of something hastily and cheaply produced. Indeed, opportunism seems to have ruled over musicianship, as it appears the product was rushed to market to coincide with the outbreak of war in Iraq. Grant Llewellan is a fine musician and capable of producing so much more. What went wrong? Are the musicians in Boston just not up to snuff, or is the board and administration just painfully parochial? This is an ensemble that became leaders in baroque music under Christopher Hogwood. So what makes them think they should be performing Schoenberg, Barber, Delius and Gorecki?

Stunningly Beautiful.......2004-10-08

Glorious Indeed! Robert Levine's above review is 'right on'.
Morten Lauridsen's chill-provoking 'O magnum mysterium' brought me to this project after hearing it on public radio at 2AM. Choice of material, quality and sensitivity of performance, and Grant Llewellyn's masterful direction make this a 'must have'.
I rarely buy choral music, but this one I will give at Christmas with a wish for the 'Peace' this music inspires.

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CBS Dinner Classics: Breakfast in Bed

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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CBS Dinner Classics: Sunday Brunch, Vol. 2
Dinner Classics: The Sunday Brunch Album
CBS Dinner Classics: Romance
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Dinner Classics: The Italian Album

ASIN: B00000277J
Release Date: 1991-01-09

Tracks:

Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op. 46: Morning
Carmen: Ent'Acte (Prelude To Act III)
Morning Song, Op. 15, No. 1: Morning Song
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1: II-Minuetto
Two Pieces For Small Orchestra: On Hearing The First Cuckoo Of Spring
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2: III - Menuet
The Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Valle Giulia At Dawn
Serenade For Strings In E Minor, Op. 20: I - Allegro Piacevole
Lyric Suite, Op. (54): III - Noturno
Les Sylphides: Nocturne, Op. 32, No. 2
Daphnis Et Chloe Suite No.2: Daybreak
Jeux D'enfants: IV - Duo (Petit Mari, Petit Femme)
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Khovanshchina: Dawn On The Moskva

Halcyon Days: A Treasury of British Light Music

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Halcyon Days: A Treasury of British Light Music

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000Y37NI
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Overture
Lento, Ma Non Troppo
Gaily, But Not Quick
Cantilena
Vivace
Miss Melanie
Raf March Past
Very Slow
Maestoso; Alla Marcia Funebre
Fairly Slowly, But Evenly Flowing In Strict Time
Allegretto Rubato
Overture, Op.52
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
Country Dance: Allegretto E Leggiero
Burlesco: Allegro
Adagio
Sarabande: Maestoso
Bourree: Vivace
Rondo In A Flat
Allegro
Lento Moderato
Con Brio

Tracks:

March
Plymouth Hoe (A Nautical Overture)
Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square
Tower Hill
The Horse Guards, Whitehall
Rotten Row
Covent Garden
Westminster
Knightsbridge March
No.1 Wheatly Processional
No.2 Constant Billy
No.4 Jockie To The Fair
No.5 Ladies Of Pleasure
No.6 Princess Royal
Malltraeth (Pastorale)
Cemaes (Scherzo)
March Of The Bowmen
City Of Lincoln March
Overture, Op.3
Londonderry Air

Tracks:

The Devil's Galop
Sailing By
High Adventure
The Watermill
Loch Laggan
Psalm 23 - CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL CHOIR
Southern Rhapsody
Ecce Homo - CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL CHOIR
Girls In Grey
Halcyon Days
March Glorious
An English Overture
Spitfire Prelude And Fugue
Carry On Suite
Carry On Up The Khyber
Andante Expressivo
The Dam Busters March
Tarka The Otter
The African Queen

Tracks:

Caramba
Two Interlinked French Melodies
Kanikani
Preambule
Barcarolle
Provencale
By The Sleepy Lagoon
A L'ombre D'un Buissonet
Triste Est Le ciel
Allons Gay
A Mountain Tune
Tambourin
Passepied
Sarabande
Farandole
Petite Promenade
Andante/Medium Beguine
Song Dance
Fado
Kolo
In The French Countryside
Carpet Dance
Slow Waltz
End Titles

Tracks:

Miniature Overture (Help!)
March (When I'm 64)
Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (Can't Buy Me Love)
Arabian Dance (It's For You)
Chinese Dance (Ticket To Ride)
Dance Of The Reed Flutes (She Loves You)
Waltz Of The Flowers (From Me To You)
Pas De Deux (All My Loving)
Sarabande
The Reception
The Orgy (Rondo)
Danza Gaya
Scene 1
Malaguena (Vivace)
Habanera (Moderato)
Tango (Vivace)
The Hiring Fair
Carousing
Round Dance
Pas De Deux
Hornpipe
March
Doll's Dance
Round Dance
Bobby Shaftoe
The Keel Row
The 98th Jacks Listed!

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Classical Chillout

Manufacturer: Union Square Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

1. Dance for Harpsichord
2. (Preludes) I Scherzando
3. (Preludes) II Quick
4. (Preludes) III Con moto. With lively undulating movement
5. I Mazurka
6. II Waltz for a little girl
7. III Waltz
8. IV Lullaby for a modern baby
9. (Davyd Booth, violin obbligato) V Toccata
10. Zum Carnival
11. Pensées Mélodieuses (No. 2)
12. Badinage (Danse lente)
13. Presto leggiero
14. (Piano Pieces) I Valse (1890)
15. (Piano Pieces) II Rêverie
16. (Margot la Rouge (arr. Ravel)) Prelude
17. (Margot la Rouge) Duet
18. (Margot la Rouge) On hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring (arr. Gerard Bunk)
19. (Margot la Rouge) In a Summer Garden (arr. Philip Heseltine)
20. (Florida Suite (selections) (arr. Robert Threlfall)) Plantation Dance (at Sunset)