Andrew Davis’s formidable Tippettian credentials shine through in every bar of this outstanding British Line anthology from Teldec. Aided by realistic, firmly focused sound (Tony Faulkner, take a bow), the Concerto for Double String Orchestra sounds glorious here. What’s more, Davis directs a performance of enormous humanity, intelligence and dedication – even Sir Neville Marriner’s excellent EMI remake now seems a little matter-of-fact by comparison. At first hearing, I thought the very opening bars were perhaps somewhat underpowered. But no, a glance at the score reveals a single f marking, and in Davis’s supremely far-sighted conception the subsequent ff passages register with all the more exhilarating trenchancy as a result. Listen, too, for the care lavished on Tippett’s surging cantando bass-lines at two bars after fig. 9 (3'45'') and two after fig. 3 in the coda (from 5'19'' onwards). In the slow movement Davis secures a rapt response from his BBC strings (the exquisite closing bars are drawn with ineffable tenderness), while the finale bounds along with irrepressible vigour and fine rhythmic panache.
Believe it or not, Davis’s Fantasia concertante strikes me as an even more remarkable achievement. This is another inspirational display: sensitive and fervent, yet marvellously lucid and concentrated too. Once again, the BBC strings are on radiant form, and the lyrical intensity of their playing during the central climax has to be heard to be believed. Indeed, Davis’s identification with this sublime music is total and I can’t immediately recall a more eloquent performance.
Much the same applies, for that matter, to the present committed and incisive account of the “Ritual Dances” from The Midsummer Marriage, a veritable tour de force to which the BBC Symphony Chorus contribute thrillingly in the final dance. In this same item, however, I detected occasional clusters of faint, but irritating electronic ‘clicks’ (I checked two copies just to make sure my ears weren’t deceiving me), so do try to sample before you purchase, if at all possible. That one caveat apart, this is a superb collection in every way.'