Frederick Delius

[Mirror Image]

I also much prefer Tubin. Actually Delius is not a composer whose music I have ever had a strong like or dislike for. There are a few works that I do greatly enjoy including the Piano Concerto, Brigg Fair the North Country Sketches and In a Summer Garden. I also find the end of his Requiem very moving. I think that Vaughan Williams described Delius's music as like 'a curate improvising' but this might have been a bit harsh.

I think a lot of my problem with Delius also stems from his harmonic language. He has produced many lovely harmonies in many of his pieces, but it sure does wear thin when there's not much happening rhythmically and structurally it just feels the like the same formula for every piece. I'm glad there are people here that like his music, but I mustn't be counted among them.

[Jamie]

There is a really awful quality copy of that Bridcut video on YouTube under the title Delius, Composer, lover, enigma.

[vandermolen]

I think a lot of my problem with Delius also stems from his harmonic language. He has produced many lovely harmonies in many of his pieces, but it sure does wear thin when there's not much happening rhythmically and structurally it just feels the like the same formula for every piece. I'm glad there are people here that like his music, but I mustn't be counted among them.

I largely agree with your 'lack of variety' comment.

[Florestan]

I agree with Sarge.

I too.

Although sometime our good friend John, if my memory is correct, goes from rapturous fan to intense dislike.

Correct. The most extreme such case was with Poulenc's piano music: in two consecutive (!!!) posts he went from singing its praises to disparaging it strongly. Currently he adores it, though.

But, as Sarge said, this is part of his charm. 

[Ratliff]

Delius is a composer who had a unique style, a unique aesthetic, and a unique technique which produced this. Sometimes it is just what I want to hear, often it is not. When it is what I want to hear, there is no substitute. Decrying his supposed inadequacies seems utterly besides the point.

[vers la flamme]

I just bought this:

[asin]B000025XY1[/asin]

For $2.68, free shipping. I couldn't pass it up at that price! Does anyone know whether the CD is any good or not? I suspect from these capable forces that it is at least interesting and relatively faithful to the composers' scores. If anyone else is interested, there are other very cheap copies on the Amazon US Marketplace.

[vandermolen]

I just bought this:

[asin]B000025XY1[/asin]

For $2.68, free shipping. I couldn't pass it up at that price! Does anyone know whether the CD is any good or not? I suspect from these capable forces that it is at least interesting and relatively faithful to the composers' scores. If anyone else is interested, there are other very cheap copies on the Amazon US Marketplace.

Yes, it's a fabulous CD! (All three works).
Sounds like a real bargain - you won't regret it.

It also appeared in this manifestation:

[vers la flamme]

Damn, I like that artwork a lot better Oh well. I'm sure the one I got is fine.

[vandermolen]

Damn, I like that artwork a lot better Oh well. I'm sure the one I got is fine.

I have both 

[Ratliff]

Yes, it's a fabulous CD! (All three works).
Sounds like a real bargain - you won't regret it.

It also appeared in this manifestation:

I know Delius almost entirely from the excellent barbirolli recordings, which don't include the piano concerto. Would it be reasonable that this is the best place to start for the Delius concerto?

[vandermolen]

I know Delius almost entirely from the excellent barbirolli recordings, which don't include the piano concerto. Would it be reasonable that this is the best place to start for the Delius concerto?

I think so but I'm no expert, maybe others will chip in.
I also like the Hyperion CD of the original version which has a nice collection of works and I also like this well known historic version which first drew my attention to the work on LP ( the CD is on the Testament label if the picture doesn't appear):

[Ratliff]

I think so but I'm no expert, maybe others will chip in.
I also like the Hyperion CD of the original version which has a nice collection of works and I also like this well known historic version which first drew my attention to the work on LP ( the CD is on the Testament label if the picture doesn't appear):

Duh, I have that Hyperion recording, but have never found time to listen!

[Irons]

Beecham's wife was pianist on a recording they made together.

At one time I visited a specialist of music for films record shop in Brighton. The only occasion in donkey years of collecting that an owner of a vinyl emporium actually gave me a record as he liked it so much. He is right the Jean Pougnet Delius VC is one of the finest Delius recordings.

 

[Szykneij]

Motivated by discussion on another thread, I pulled out a vinyl copy of "Sir Thomas Beecham-Music of Delius" I bought used some time ago. Inside I discovered an undated page removed from a copy of the magazine "Southern Living". I thought it might be of interest to Delius fans here.

[Szykneij]

*

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Don't know Delius' music much, but I like this recording. Did he like the African-American folk music in the U.S.A? Was his music influenced by the latter?

[Mirror Image]

Don't know Delius' music much, but I like this recording. Did he like the African-American folk music in the U.S.A? Was his music influenced by the latter?

Absolutely! He loved African American music. In fact, it was the singing of Black spirituals that inspired him to become a composer. He heard this music when he was in Florida (where he owned an orange plantation) and he heard this music from the workers on his plantation. He would hear them sing and this echoed down the river while Delius sat on his porch in the evening hours. It was also in the US where he received his first actual music lessons from a man named Thomas Ward with whom he said later on that he learned more from him than anything he learned from the Leipzig Conservatory where he studied not long after leaving the US. It was Delius' father who gave him the financial support in order to study in Leipzig, but the most interesting aspect of this was that none other than Edvard Grieg (who became a friend and supporter of Delius upon hearing his Florida Suite) was the one who convinced his doubting father that young Frederick's true calling was not taking over the Delius wool business, but as a composer. Anyway, I see I'm getting away from you initial question, which I believe I already answered.

[Mirror Image]

Motivated by discussion on another thread, I pulled out a vinyl copy of "Sir Thomas Beecham-Music of Delius" I bought used some time ago. Inside I discovered an undated page removed from a copy of the magazine "Southern Living". I thought it might be of interest to Delius fans here.

Very nice. I have been meaning to make a pilgrimage to Jacksonville, Florida to visit his house, which I believe is located on the campus of the Jacksonville University now. I have a cousin that lives there, so it is a possibility.

[Szykneij]

Very nice. I have been meaning to make a pilgrimage to Jacksonville, Florida to visit his house, which I believe is located on the campus of the Jacksonville University now. I have a cousin that lives there, so it is a possibility.

A little research reveals that the magazine article was from 1979, the year Morris White performed at the Jacksonville Delius festival.

[Mirror Image]

A little research reveals that the magazine article was from 1979, the year Morris White performed at the Jacksonville Delius festival.

Quite interesting. I knew that there was a Delius festival, but I'm not a member of the Delius Society, so I'm not sure what the frequency of these festivals have been in years past. Also, I doubt I would've gone anyway as usually the sun is rather unforgiving to my pasty skin. Although, it would certainly be awesome to meet other fans in real life and converse with them about the man and his music.