Frederick Delius

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Re: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

I'm finding that anything over seven minutes is just too slow for me. Beecham, Barbirolli, Wordsworth, and Hughes all have Cuckoos either seven minutes or over. Around six minutes is just right for me which is why Handley's on Chandos still reigns supreme for me.

[Mirror Image]

Forgot to post this here:

Still finding ways to get more purchases and I found one: earlier today I was looking through some old sales cards and such and I ran across an Amazon gift card for $20 that I haven't even used yet (!!!), so here's what I bought:



Very excited to receive this recording as it contains the world premiere performance of Poem of Life and Love which some material would later be reworked into A Song of Summer.

[sheffmark]

Welcome, sheffmark! Boy, I just don't know where to start with your questions as so many answers have popped into my head...

You liked Delius' music when you first listened to it, so this means that you're open and are available to receive it, which is a fantastic start let me add. Let me try answering your questions now:

Not for me it wasn't, but it did take time to come to appreciate. One of the first things you have to when listening to Delius is shut your mind off of any negative opinions you heard about the composer, because, quite frankly, most of them are rubbish. A lot of the naysayers will say the music meanders and that the music is boring and this is certainly their right to express these opinions. I'm here to tell you that I don't find his music boring or meandering at all, in fact, his music is some of the most aurally mesmerizing and exciting I know. There are many moments in his music it becomes absolutely ecstatic with overjoy and enthusiasm. This music is full of life and passion. But, on the surface, it may appear there are roses, but there are thorns underneath the roses. There is always a haunting lyricism to the music. It pulls you in doesn't let go until the work subsides. The fact that you liked two works already tells me you are ready for his music, but bear in mind that his music is not 'easy listening.' It requires patience and understanding on the part of the listener. People say "Oh that's beautiful," but there's much more to the music than this of course. The complexity of his music comes from his completely individual approach to harmony. There is a good bit of chromaticism in the music, especially in the later works, but the way the music is presented and colored, the listener hardly notices this unique characteristic of the music.

Okay next question...

Definitely give The Walk to the Paradise Garden, Brigg Fair, or On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring a listen. If you like these works, then try Florida Suite or North Country Sketches next. Once you get a feel of his treatment of the orchestra, then give some vocal/choral works a try like Songs of Farewell or Sea Drift. These will hopefully wet your appetite.

That 150th Anniversary Edition box set on EMI is an outstanding bargain and definitely worth acquiring, but my opinion may be a little biased.

Hope you enjoy the music!

Thank-you for your reply Mirror Image!
I'll check out your recommendations too!
I think i'll take a look in my local music store tonight!

[Mirror Image]

Thank-you for your reply Mirror Image!
I'll check out your recommendations too!
I think i'll take a look in my local music store tonight!

You're welcome, sheffmark. Please let us know if you find anything and report back here at your leisure.

[sheffmark]

You're welcome, sheffmark. Please let us know if you find anything and report back here at your leisure.

I sure will Mirror Image!
Thanks alot for your help!

[sheffmark]

This is hopefully my next purchase!
It seems highly thought of!

[Mirror Image]

I sure will Mirror Image!
Thanks alot for your help!

My pleasure!

[Mirror Image]

This is hopefully my next purchase!
It seems highly thought of!

Ha! Interestingly enough this was the first Delius recording I bought. These remain special performances for me as Mackerras really opened up my ears to this music.

[sheffmark]

Well, that recommendation is good enough for me Mirror Image!
I'll definitely be buying it!
Thanks Mirror Image!

[Mirror Image]

Well, that recommendation is good enough for me Mirror Image!
I'll definitely be buying it!
Thanks Mirror Image!

You're welcome! Please tell us your impressions of the music once you hear some of it. Enjoy!

[Mirror Image]

Posted this in the purchases thread just moments ago:

I had some money left over from my Amazon gift card from my last purchase and so I bought this set in used, like new condition even though I already own this performance in the Decca Delius Edition. It will be nice to own the full box set with the complete libretto:



Couldn't find any other picture.

[Mirror Image]

Another Delius innovation: in the work American Rhapsody (composed in 1896 and whose material was later reworked and expanded into Appalachia) he used American folksongs like Yankie Doodle and actually had marching band pieces collide with each other which predated Charles Ives.

Again, I'm always awestruck by how clueless musical scholars and critics truly are when it comes to Delius. They can dislike the music all they want but to deny his innovations is just total ignorance.

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So let's recap some of Delius' innovations in music:

1. Used the first wordless chorus --- (1897's Koanga which predates Debussy's Nocturnes by two years)
2. Wrote the first African-American opera, Koanga (1887 -- predates Gershwin's Porgy & Bess by thirty something years)
3. Used blues and Negro spiritual music in a classical context (Florida Suite, 1887) for the first time, which again predates Gershwin
4. Used American folksongs (Yankie Doodle) and other marching band tunes and collided these together creating an unheard kind of dissonance which predated Charles Ives (American Rhapsody 1896 later reworked as Appalachia)

The reason why none of these innovations have been acknowledged by scholars and critics is because of politics, which, unfortunately, still exist in classical music.

[Mirror Image]

Those interested in examining Delius' oeuvre check this out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Frederick_Delius

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Just bought the June 2012 issue of BBC Music Magazine which has a special article on Delius plus a bonus CD with (hopefully) performances I don't already own:



Edit:

Yes! I don't own any of the performances on the BBC CD that comes with the June 2012 issue. Here's the PDF for it:

http://content.bbcmagazinesbristol.com/bbcmusic/Inlays/MUS_245_Inlay.pdf

[Mirror Image]

I've been listening to this recording with Lloyd-Jones:

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Really fantastic so far. Lloyd-Jones really catches some fire in Life's Dance. This recording is making a nice compliment to his already substantial Delius discography.

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I was playing Life's Dance (Lloyd-Jones/RSNO performance) last night on the stereo and my Dad came in my room and said "Delius! I love this composer!" This from a hardcore Mahler-head.

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Also, a special note I want to make about my Dad: I wasn't aware that he knew Delius' Life's Dance, I do know that he knew, and liked, Florida Suite, On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, In A Summer Garden, among others, but for him to recognize Life's Dance was quite impressive and shows that, he too, likes this composer a lot. Life is full of surprises.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

You two could organize your own small Delius Festival at home (and presumably drive your mother mad).

[Mirror Image]

You two could organize your own small Delius Festival at home (and presumably drive your mother mad).

My Mom likes Delius actually, Johan. A Delius Festival at home? That's not a bad idea at all. Sounds like a good idea when I go on vacation next week.