Joseph Collins’ Hibernia (Irish Rhapsody) is a big, beautiful chuck on late Romantic music somewhat in the tradition of Delius’ Paris. The large orchestra makes an impressive sound, Collins scores with unfailing brilliance and a keen ear, and the work’s 18 minutes pass by with surprising swiftness. Piano Concerto No. 1 is every bit as successful, particularly its finale “All’Americana”, which includes zesty rhythms and some surprising writing for an expanded percussion section (unusual in a work in this form dating from around 1923). It’s a concise (29-minute), well constructed, thematically memorable piece that most composers would be proud to claim as their own.
The remaining two items are brief and charming, especially the Spiritual setting of Lil’ David Play on Yo’ Harp, which contains some very evocative writing for the title instruments. Lovely, vivacious performances (with William Wolfram a confident soloist in the concerto), very well played and conducted, and excellent recorded sound make this disc the perfect introduction to the work of this neglected but very worthy composer.
