Stanford: Symphony No. 5; Irish Rhapsody No. 4

Editorial Reviews
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Stanford (1852-1924) set the stage for the generation that would produce Elgar and then Vaughan Williams. You can see this in the Stanford's symphonies. Here, in the Symphony 5 (1884), Stanford turns John Milton's poem, L'Allegro and Il Penseroso into a bright Romantic romp, filled with all of the flights of fancy common to British symphonies up to World War II. This is simple, yet engaging music. His Irish Rhapsody 4 (1917), like all of his other Irish rhapsodies turn simple ballads into beautiful tone poems. It's based on several fishing songs. Lovely. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in D major, Op.56 - L' Allegro ed il Penseroso: I - Allegro moderato
Sym No.5 in D major, Op.56 - L' Allegro ed il Penseroso: II - Allegretto grazioso
Sym No.5 in D major, Op.56 - L' Allegro ed il Penseroso: III. Andante molto tranquillo
Sym No.5 in D major, Op.56 - L' Allegro ed il Penseroso: IV - Allegro molto
Irish Rhap No.4 in A minor, Op. 141, The Fisherman of Loch Neagh and what he saw: Irish Rhap No.4 in A minor, Op. 141

Amazon.com

Stanford (1852-1924) set the stage for the generation that would produce Elgar and then Vaughan Williams. You can see this in the Stanford's symphonies. Here, in the Symphony 5 (1884), Stanford turns John Milton's poem, L'Allegro and Il Penseroso into a bright Romantic romp, filled with all of the flights of fancy common to British symphonies up to World War II. This is simple, yet engaging music. His Irish Rhapsody 4 (1917), like all of his other Irish rhapsodies turn simple ballads into beautiful tone poems. It's based on several fishing songs. Lovely. --Paul Cook