The most desirable item in this collection, I feel, is the one not conducted by Harty, but by the 24-year-old Constant Lambert. His Rio Grande was played in public for the first time in December 1929 by the artists listed above. The work made a tremendous impact on audiences in Manchester and then London, and Columbia quickly arranged a recording session. This premiere recording has had two LP reissues in the last few years, but still deserves the widest possible dissemination, for it is a wonderfully fresh and vital account of a most endearing and innovative piece, which possesses a unique combination of jazzy brilliance and affecting, almost Delian poetry.
All the other items feature Harty as the conductor of an orchestra which he headed with great distinction between 1920 and 1933. In the mid 1920s the Halle was regarded as the best in the UK, but is somewhat below its best in the Enigma Variations, for there is some inexpert playing from time to time. Interesting to hear portamento being used so extensively in a 1930 recording (not 1932, as is suggested in the disc's information), and there is plenty of energy in Harty's conducting. But I don't feel he was really inside the work. He doesn't seem to feel the music very deeply, and the musical portraits are not vividly brought to life. ''Dorabella'' lacks elegance, for instance, and seems matter-of-fact; ''GRS'' is too rushed, and even ''Nimrod'' lacks warmth. Dream Children was the fill-up on Side 8 of the original 78rpm set, and Harty seems to relax more in this charming little piece.
The Scherzo from Harty's own Irish Symphony is nothing more than an effective medley of traditional Irish tunes. This item was recorded in September 1929, and shows the Halle at its virtuoso best. The Londonderry Air arrangement is pretty small beer, really, and Weber's neatly-played Abu Hassan Overture seems an odd inclusion on a disc of otherwise British music. I am once again unhappy with the BBC's transfers, for as before they have used electronic stereo to no good advantage, and too much top has been removed. The general quality is rather woolly, with a booming bass sound.'