Delius - Orchestral Works Naxos ( 02 February, 2004 ) Music Our Price : £ 4.99 Prices subject to change. usually dispatched within 24 hours.

Giving Nature Voice

David Lloyds Jones leads the Royal Scottish Chamber Orchestra in some of the finest performances of Delius ever. This disc deserves to be ranked alongside the interpretations of Beecham and (a personal favourite) Vernon Handley. Here we have an original interpretation of the composer which may be the most satisfying yet. Quite simply David Lloyd Jones allows the music to speak for itself and its celebration of nature is allowed to be heard for its own sake. To borrow a metaphor from painting, this approach works not only on the broad canvas but in the detailed brush strokes with beautiful phrasing of the individual instrumental lines. Speeds are on the relaxed side as the music is allowed to take its own pace, but it never sounds slow, instead the impression is of natural rythms being observed. The choice of pieces mixes the frequently recorded with some welcome rarities: The third of the three small tone poems Spring Morning, the American Rhapsody and the Fantastic Dance. American Rhapsody is the rarest and deserves special mention, it is a highly attractive piece which prefigures the American Pastoralism of Aaron Copland. The only disappointment is that Naxos didnt fill the disc up, with performances this good you will be wishing that there was a full 75 minutes plus here. As it is there is 64 minutes of pure pleasure. This would be a bargain at full price, at actual bargain price it is simply unmissable.

JOSHUA RIFKIN SQUEEZES EVERY LAST DROP OUT OF RAGTIME!

Ever since i heard joshua rifkin perform "Maple Leaf Rag" on the internet, i was stunned. He totally ignores his conducter saying in baton language "STOP PLAYING FAST. IT IS NOT RIGHT TO PLAY RAGTIME FAST" and "Dont Rush..." . I Look on the internet and i cannot find a midi which is closer to scot joplins original idea of it. if you like ragtime then this is a must-have for you. if you dont then buy it anyway. your money will not be wasted. trust me. Play "The Cascades" to a sad friend and watch a smile slowly broaden. play "office monkey" by playing "Maple Leaf Rag" and see everyone in the office start tapping their feet. Use "The Entertainer" at a kids party. Wake up with "Elite Syncopations". use them for anything. Trust me, Joshua Rifkin certainly knows how to play the piano.