Frederick Delius: Florida Suite/North County Sketches

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is an early Chandos recording of two Delius masterpieces. The Florida suite, written in 1887, is the composer's first orchestral work. It comes from a time when Delius lived in Florida and owned a plantation. He wanted to study African American songs and American folk music. The result is similar to Dvorak's New World Symphony, with traces of African American elements. It's distinctly not of this country, but that doesn't matter--Delius took his landscapes with him. North Country Sketches, perhaps Delius's masterpiece, was written to describe the Yorkshire Moors of his birthplace. Vernon Handley and the Ulster Orchestra get this music absolutely right. -- Paul Cook

Tracks:

Florida Suite: I. Daybreak - Dance
Florida Suite: II. By The River
Florida Suite: III. Sunset - Near The Plantation
Florida Suite: IV. At Night
North Country Sketches: I. Autumn
North Country Sketches: II. Winter Landscape
North Country Sketches: III. Dance
North Country Sketches: IV. The March Of Spring

Amazon.com

This is an early Chandos recording of two Delius masterpieces. The Florida suite, written in 1887, is the composer's first orchestral work. It comes from a time when Delius lived in Florida and owned a plantation. He wanted to study African American songs and American folk music. The result is similar to Dvorak's New World Symphony, with traces of African American elements. It's distinctly not of this country, but that doesn't matter--Delius took his landscapes with him. North Country Sketches, perhaps Delius's masterpiece, was written to describe the Yorkshire Moors of his birthplace. Vernon Handley and the Ulster Orchestra get this music absolutely right. -- Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Rapturous quality.......2006-01-23

My house has about 40 shelves filled with CDs. This CD makes it to my favorite shelf, i.e., the top 50. There is a glowing quality to the sound. This is lush, ultra romantic music. Ignore the fact that this is merely the Ulster Orchestra. Under Handley here they sound more like the old Philadelphia. (I have never been displeased with Handley, and I've heard a lot of his recordings.) If you are familiar only with a few Delius short pieces, try these somewhat longer works. There is one great tune after another -- kind of like what you hear in a Tchaikovsky ballet. Very highly recommended.

An enduring recording.......2000-07-18

It seems that this recording has been around for quite some time and while its easy availability speaks to some continuing demand, it is surprising that it still remains somewhat shy of greater popularity and regard. The musice is quite beautiful, uncomplicated but well served by lush orchestration. It is something of a musical reverie while never becoming maudlin. Technically well done, too.

Florida Suite.......2000-04-01