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Review of Marco Polo Haydn Wood CD (British Light Music)

09/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was a real joy to receive my copy of this Haydn Wood CD. Marco Polo has done a great service by making available this and other CDs in the British Light Music series. Let's hope they continue. As mentioned in the Gramophone review above, Haydn Wood was overshadowed by Eric Coates. Haydn Wood, however, does have a distinctive style in his rhapsodic works such as Mannin Veen (loosely translated as Dear Isle of Man) and Mylecharane for which he ought to be better known. These works are filled with lovely melodies, and I would recommend this CD if only for these two works alone. (Leaper's opening bars to Mannin Veen are extremely slow (dirge-like), but after this he picks up a more normal tempo, and the rest of the work is fabulous). Please, Marco Polo, please continue this British Light Music series. How about Percy Fletcher, Montague Phillips, and ARTHUR WOOD (yes, there is another H. Wood in British Light Music, and every bit as good as Haydn Wood)."