Ruairi Bowen (t), Zeb Soanes (reader/narrator), Britten Sinfonia Voices, Britten Sinfonia / Jamie Phillips (dir)

Chandos ★★★★

This performance of Delius’ The Story of Hassan of Bagdad and How He Came to Make the Golden Journey to Samarkand was recorded at in a public concert at Saffron Hall, Essex. It consists of the complete incidental music to the ‘Poetic Prose Play in Five Acts’ by James Elroy Flecker, including a ‘General Dance’ contributed by Percy Grainger, and with a vivid new linking narration by Britten Sinfonia’s artistic director, Meurig Bowen. Splendidly delivered by Zeb Soanes, this brings the drama to life in a deft and entertaining way. The small professional consort provides a characterful if sometimes slightly distant commentary, with Ruairi Bowen an effective, lamenting soloist in the final scenes. Ravishing playing by the Britten Sinfonia in the more lyrical passages imbues this period piecewith the perfumes of the Orient.

This review originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Choir & Organ magazine. Never miss an issue – subscribe today