Very British, indeed
jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 06/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hubert Parry is not exactly a household name among classical music lovers, however, this late 19th century composer had a remarkably diverse career as an eminent historian, philosopher, conductor, teacher (Ralph Vaughan Williams was probably his most famous student), & accomplished yachtsman (he was elected to the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1907). He wrote several symphonies & a variety of other pieces, but his most enduring work is included on this well-filled disc: "An English Suite," "Lady Radnor's Suite," & "Symphonic Variations." Parry's work is somewhat reminiscient of Elgar, but without Elgar's occasional Brahmsian indulgances. This is substantial music, expertly crafted, but there is nothing at all tedious here - in fact, there is a lightness to the writing that is refreshing. Sir Adrian Boult, who conducts the LSO & LPO on these recordings, was uniquely gifted as an interpretor of British music & is the perfect choice for this repertory.
In short, this is another wonderful recording from the Lyrita catalog that lay dormant for decades & is now available in excellent remastered stereo sound. I have nothing but praise for Lyrita for reissuing this & many other definitive recordings of British classics. I hope they find the wide audience they deserve."
Fine music by any standards ; wonderful interpretations
Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane | Fife, Scotland | 09/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Boult's family knew Parry, and Boult grew up with a personal awareness of the composer. His very last recording, in the late 1970s for EMI, was of Parry's 5th. Symphony and other works, and he was very pleased when it reached best-seller status. These earlier recordings are perhaps even better, and the two best pieces, the 'Overture' and the 'Symphonic Variations' can stand comparison with any late-19th, century Romantic works - they are really very fine indeed. The conductor's ability to shape and phrase the pieces without ever losing sight of their structure is very marked, and he is an excellent apologist for this little-known but very worthwhile music. It is marvellous to see these old Lyrita recordings reappear on CD (copyright problems kept them out of the catalogue for far too long), and they deserve every success."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1