English String Miniatures
A delightful collection, reminding us once more that even at the end of the 20th century melody is alive and well
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Philip Lane, George Melachrino, David Lyon, C(harles) W(ilfred) Orr, John Rutter, Peter Dodd, Cecil Armstrong Gibbs, Frank Cordell, Roy Douglas
Label: Naxos
Magazine Review Date: 6/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 64
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 8 554186
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Suite |
John Rutter, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor John Rutter, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| A Cotswold Hill Tune |
C(harles) W(ilfred) Orr, Composer
C(harles) W(ilfred) Orr, Composer David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| Jeux |
George Melachrino, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor George Melachrino, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| Irish Idyll |
Peter Dodd, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor Peter Dodd, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| Miniature Dance Suite |
Cecil Armstrong Gibbs, Composer
Cecil Armstrong Gibbs, Composer David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| King Charles's Galliard |
Frank Cordell, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor Frank Cordell, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| Short Suite |
David Lyon, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor David Lyon, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| Cantilena |
Roy Douglas, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor Roy Douglas, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
| Pantomime |
Philip Lane, Composer
David Lloyd-Jones, Conductor Philip Lane, Composer Royal Ballet Sinfonia |
Author: Ivan March
John Rutter has long been a prized exponent of the memorable tune both in his major choral works and his engaging carols. Here he shows how skilfully he can write for strings, using traditional themes - the invigorating A-Roving, the touching I have a bonnet trimmed with blue, the lovely, simple O, Waly, Waly and the scherzando energy of Dashing away with the smoothing iron - and all are irresistible. Most of the other music is folksy in the same way - Orr's lilting Cotswold Hill Tune and Dodd's delicate Irish Idyll have much melodically in common. George Melachrino's Jeux, sitting between them, makes an engaging foil - a flimsily delicate dance tapestry acting as a frame for a semi-luscious lyrical tune.
The Miniature Dance Suite of Armstrong Gibbs and the equally engaging Short Suite of David Lyon both have elements of pastiche - like Warlock's Capriol Suite, though they're less sharply focused - the Lyon also including a lovely serene Aria which has something in common with the longer English Cantilena of Roy Douglas (the famous orchestrator of Chopin's Les Sylphides, who also made a major contribution to the construction of the Addinsell Warsaw Concerto).
Philip Lane's Pantomime is another three-movement miniature suite of dainty charm and energy; its bouncing closing Vivace ends the concert vivaciously. Performances, as might be expected from Lloyd-Jones and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, are first-rate, as is the Naxos recording. Winningly entertaining, and marvellous value for money.
'
The Miniature Dance Suite of Armstrong Gibbs and the equally engaging Short Suite of David Lyon both have elements of pastiche - like Warlock's Capriol Suite, though they're less sharply focused - the Lyon also including a lovely serene Aria which has something in common with the longer English Cantilena of Roy Douglas (the famous orchestrator of Chopin's Les Sylphides, who also made a major contribution to the construction of the Addinsell Warsaw Concerto).
Philip Lane's Pantomime is another three-movement miniature suite of dainty charm and energy; its bouncing closing Vivace ends the concert vivaciously. Performances, as might be expected from Lloyd-Jones and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, are first-rate, as is the Naxos recording. Winningly entertaining, and marvellous value for money.
'
English String Miniatures
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