Delius

[reith]

He was mentioned recently. Is anyone here familiar with any of Delius' work?

If not, can I recommend the "Walk to the Paradise Garden" - an intermezzo from his opera A Village Romeo And Juliet. It's a beautiful work IMO, typically warm though sad at that point in the story.

Brigg Fair is another lovely work...but then, most of them are. All tied up with the moods of Nature.

For an early one, try the Florida Suite.
R

[ttw]

Delius's biography is interesting. I son't much like his music. Not so much that the music sounds bad, just that it never express anything (musically, that is.)

[Boneman]

Exactly! He just expressed his own feeelings about what was around him which is why some of us think that he is up at the top. His chromatic layers are amazing. Am I right R?

[reith]

Right-on. If one's looking for long Brucknerian themes Delius is not the place - his music depends heavily on motifs. He was a musical reflector of Nature (to me), the moods, the colours, warmth, coldness. Very difficult to interpret well and I still think Sir Thomas Beecham has yet to be beaten.

Many other conductors tried his work but failed, probably doing more harm than good - lacklustre, dry, formal efforts. One of those situations where the conductor's either got it or hasn't.
But these recordings are very old - if the technology can be allowed for, Delius' spirit and magic glow all right.


Try "Paris, Song of a Great City", early but the accomplished Delius is starting to emerge.

[Boneman]

His music needs to be given a freedom that most conductors do not want to give it. I think that most conductors try to make the music their own but Delius' music is so unique( especially his later works)