Frederick Delius

[Mirror Image]

Considering and re-considering Delius over the years - in fact, I didn't succumb to his lure until some time in the mid-70s when I met another music-lover and Delius fan in Frankfurt am Main - I have gone on and off his dreamy music, with phases of intense involvement - entrancement is perhaps an apter expression. There are certain works in certain recordings which can always enchant me, to wit:
Irmelin Prelude, particularly well-done in Mark Elder's recording with the Hallé, which also contains delightful performances of 'The walk to the paradise garden' and Brigg Fair, as well as some Butterworth and Grainger; lovely recordings of some songs by Sarah Walker, Felicity Lott and Rolfe-Johnson on a disc conducted by Fenby, and -my favourite - the setting of Dowson's 'Cynara' as sung by John Shirley Quirk with the Royal Liverpool Phil. directed by Charles Groves. I simply do not know where you can find this jewel now (except on You Tube).

To the bolded text, you can find that performance in this still in-print set:

[asin]B005RXKKQO[/asin]

[aukhawk]

I find it impossible to separate Delius in my mind from the (in)famous Ken Russell film, which made a big impression on a 20-year-old me shortly before I joined the BBC as a sound engineer.  I like Sea Drift best, also Brigg Fair and First Cuckoo, but I suppose that about covers it.
I eventually worked with Ken Russell for two days, as dubbing mixer on one of his later television films - it was late in his career and the fire was long gone I'm afraid.

[André]

I love that Ken Russell film. For a more factual take the BBC documentary has lots going for it.

[Mirror Image]

I love that Ken Russell film. For a more factual take the BBC documentary has lots going for it.

Are you referring to the John Bridcut documentary? If yes, then I fully concur. It's really a fantastic introduction to the composer.

[vandermolen]

I feel that I should like Delius more than I do. Maybe I've been put off by VW's disparaging comment, describing Delius's music as being like 'a curate improvising' or something like that. Having said that there are some works which I rate very highly including the Piano Concerto in its various versions, 'In a Summer Garden' which is a most beautiful work and I find the end of his 'Requiem' very moving.

[Mirror Image]

I feel that I should like Delius more than I do. Maybe I've been put off by VW's disparaging comment, describing Delius's music as being like 'a curate improvising' or something like that. Having said that there are some works which I rate very highly including the Piano Concerto in its various versions, 'In a Summer Garden' which is a most beautiful work and I find the end of his 'Requiem' very moving.

That's a harsh criticism from Vaughan Williams. I never understood the purpose of other composers putting down other composers in public. Behind closed doors, that's fair game, but I think it shows bad taste to publicly call out another composer. But, obviously, RVW is far from the only composer to insult another composer's music. Delius has done plenty of it himself and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Anyway, like you, there are many works from Delius I still think of highly. A few of them: Songs of Sunset, Sea Drift, In a Summer Garden, Appalachia, A Song of the High Hills, the Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, Double Concerto, Three Preludes, A Village Romeo and Juliet, and Two Pieces for Small Orchestra (On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring/Summer Night on the River).

[André]

Are you referring to the John Bridcut documentary? If yes, then I fully concur. It's really a fantastic introduction to the composer.

The one that starts with the burial procession at night. Plenty of performances and interviews from Philipe Graffin, Bo Holten and the Aarhus Orchestra, Andrew Davis etc.

[vandermolen]

That's a harsh criticism from Vaughan Williams. I never understood the purpose of other composers putting down other composers in public. Behind closed doors, that's fair game, but I think it shows bad taste to publicly call out another composer. But, obviously, RVW is far from the only composer to insult another composer's music. Delius has done plenty of it himself and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Anyway, like you, there are many works from Delius I still think of highly. A few of them: Songs of Sunset, Sea Drift, In a Summer Garden, Appalachia, A Song of the High Hills, the Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, Double Concerto, Three Preludes, A Village Romeo and Juliet, and Two Pieces for Small Orchestra (On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring/Summer Night on the River).

Yes, I agree. VW was quite dismissive of Bridge as well, especially the later work and also Bruckner, but I guess that there was little exposure to Bruckner's music in England during VW's lifetime.
I also like the North Country Sketches.

[Mirror Image]

The one that starts with the burial procession at night. Plenty of performances and interviews from Philipe Graffin, Bo Holten and the Aarhus Orchestra, Andrew Davis etc.

Yep, that's the Bridcut documentary. Great stuff, indeed.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, I agree. VW was quite dismissive of Bridge as well, especially the later work and also Bruckner, but I guess that there was little exposure to Bruckner's music in England during VW's lifetime.
I also like the North Country Sketches.

Man, I forgot about North Country Sketches. I love this work!

[Oates]

That's a harsh criticism from Vaughan Williams. I never understood the purpose of other composers putting down other composers in public. Behind closed doors, that's fair game, but I think it shows bad taste to publicly call out another composer. But, obviously, RVW is far from the only composer to insult another composer's music. Delius has done plenty of it himself and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Anyway, like you, there are many works from Delius I still think of highly. A few of them: Songs of Sunset, Sea Drift, In a Summer Garden, Appalachia, A Song of the High Hills, the Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, Double Concerto, Three Preludes, A Village Romeo and Juliet, and Two Pieces for Small Orchestra (On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring/Summer Night on the River).

I don't think that RVW stated this in public actually - probably in a letter that was subsequently quoted after RVW's death. I have never quite understood why he should take against Delius. I love both composers and see a lot of affinity and shared inspirations.

[André]

Listened to yesterday: A BBC Scotland broadcast of a little-known opera by Delius , The Magic Fountain. Magnificent music, from Delius' Florida period (Daybreak from the Florida Suite appears as a leitmotif throughout). For some reason the engineers seem to have placed a mic right next to the sarrusophone (probably a contrabassoon). There is but one commercial recording and it's very hard to find at a reasonable price (and Amazon reviews pan the performance of the vocalists). The BBC performance boasted a strong cast, particularly the soprano and bass.

[Mirror Image]

I don't think that RVW stated this in public actually - probably in a letter that was subsequently quoted after RVW's death. I have never quite understood why he should take against Delius. I love both composers and see a lot of affinity and shared inspirations.

It's quite strange, indeed, but also if his quote about Delius is taken from a letter, then this is even worse because it's 'written into eternity' so to speak and I think every composer must be somewhat aware that whenever a letter is sent out with their name on it that it'll become public knowledge at some point or another.

[Mirror Image]

Listened to yesterday: A BBC Scotland broadcast of a little-known opera by Delius , The Magic Fountain. Magnificent music, from Delius' Florida period (Daybreak from the Florida Suite appears as a leitmotif throughout). For some reason the engineers seem to have placed a mic right next to the sarrusophone (probably a contrabassoon). There is but one commercial recording and it's very hard to find at a reasonable price (and Amazon reviews pan the performance of the vocalists). The BBC performance boasted a strong cast, particularly the soprano and bass.

I haven't heard this opera before, but it probably has more to do with the availability of the only recording of it then anything else.

[André]

The BBC production is on youtube.

[Mirror Image]

The BBC production is on youtube.

Cool, I'll have to check it out at some juncture. Thanks.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Yes, I agree. VW was quite dismissive of Bridge as well, especially the later work and also Bruckner, but I guess that there was little exposure to Bruckner's music in England during VW's lifetime.
I also like the North Country Sketches.

Well, he was entitled to his opinion. He was an artist, not a journalist, and I'd expect strong opinions from him, and not necessarily judiciously expressed, especially in a private communication. I'd only fault him if he went so far as to try to thwart another composer's career

[Biffo]

Well, he was entitled to his opinion. He was an artist, not a journalist, and I'd expect strong opinions from him, and not necessarily judiciously expressed, especially in a private communication. I'd only fault him if he went so far as to try to thwart another composer's career

RVW was also scathing about Richard Strauss (Liszt plus one) and Gustav Mahler (a tolerable imitation of a composer). He was very supportive of numerous young composers.

Must listen to North Country Sketches again soon.

[Mirror Image]

I figured it was high time I raised this thread from the fiery pit of eternal damnation, which I'm sure many of you would like for it to remain. Anyway, I couldn't help but to read this article again:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/9383360/The-chromatic-slithering-of-Delius-leaves-me-cold.html

My problem with the article isn't the fact that the writer dislikes Delius' music but the fact that he felt the need to even write the article in the first place and publish it. It's one thing to say you dislike a composer, but to devote a whole article as to why you dislike a composer seems over-the-top. Also, this Delian DOES NOT consider him English. He's only English in that he was born in Bradford, but, for me, Delius will forever remain a composer without a specific country.

[André]

Indeed, what a loser and what a waste of time  .

+1 re: him being a composer without a specific country.