It’s a pity that Delius’ music is so seldom played; much of it is really fine and distinctive. I suppose the problem at least partly stems from his use of large forces in works with few big climaxes and mostly quiet endings. Certainly the Florida Suite suffers from repetitiveness and an excess of slow music, but it’s beautiful, fresh, and attractively scored. If this early work owes its continued existence solely to recordings, both Paris and Brigg Fair are masterpieces, the former an ebullient symphonic poem in the composer’s richest, most Straussian vein, and the latter Delius’ most popular work of any type.
These performances are generally excellent, that of Paris especially so. While Beecham and Ormandy might be unbeatable in Brigg Fair, Hickox is still very good at capturing the music’s simple eloquence. This “on demand” production from Arkivmusic.com features the original liner notes, making it essentially identical to EMI’s initial release. The sonics are a little glassy, in an “early digital” sort of way, but I am very glad to welcome this disc back to the catalog. If you missed it the first time around, don’t hesitate now. It makes the perfect introduction to Delius’ orchestral music. [6/20/2007]
