Search - Britten, Finzi, Ravel :: Though Lovers Be Lost

Dramatic WW Interlude for Oboe & Piano

rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 10/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is challenging music played skillfully by this duo of Pailthorpe and Milford, oboe and piano respectfully. Pailthorpe is American who won coveted Gillet Competition in 1989 and subsequently moved to London marrying flutist Daniel Pailthorpe.



Here joined with pianist Julian Milford they bring forth this musical offering of musical reaction composed between the two world wars. Music of Britten, Finzi, Ravel, Dutilleux and Goosens is remorse and heavy, with great twinges of anger and frustration, yet capturing the creative energy of this period in the world's history.



There is difficult passages in this, both tempo and color, pushing the capabilities of the oboe especially, but handled dramatically welll by this worldclass performer. Equally challenged but brilliantly and sensitively handled by Milford.



There are pastoral interludes, followed by war prep and its resultant devestation. Tied together by the title taken from the Dylan Thomas quote: Though lovers be lost, love shall not; And death shall have no dominion.



In Christ, Amen.



This is provocative and moving collection. Don't look for upbeat music here. Reflective and contemplative it is. Good for the soul, especially in our time of wars and building world tension. Beautifully performed and recorded."