Grainger Edition, Vol. 1 - Orchestral Works 1

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger

Label: Grainger Edition

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 72

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CHAN9493

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Duke of Marlborough's Fanfare (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Colonial Song (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
English Dance (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Shepherd's Hey (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
There were three friends (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Fisher's Boarding House (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
We were dreamers (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Harvest Hymn (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Blithe bells (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Walking Tune (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
In a Nutshell (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
Green bushes (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Hickox, Conductor
A genuine tonic, this, and an auspicious start to Chandos’s ambitious Grainger Edition. Richard Hickox evidently has a deep affection for this intoxicatingly colourful repertoire and he draws a consistently alert and superbly stylish response from the BBC Philharmonic.
It was a shrewd idea to kick off the collection with The Duke of Marlborough’s fanfare, for the outstanding blend and rich sonority of this orchestra’s magnificent brass section really make one sit up. There follow memorable accounts of the stirring, big-hearted Colonial song (such loving, richly drawn cellos at the start) and the extraordinarily dynamic and inventive English dance, whose headily opulent orchestral palette incorporates a part for organ. (On hearing this amazing piece, Grainger’s friend and colleague, Gabriel Faure, exclaimed: “It’s as if the total population were a-dancing”.) Shepherd’s hey has all the sparkle and exuberance you could wish. Green bushes, too, receives a notably propulsive, zestful performance, the BBC PO responding with fine spring and swagger. Another indelible offering comes in the shape of Walking tune, a charming ‘ramble’ originally dreamt up by Grainger whilst on a brief hiking tour through Argyllshire in 1900; Hickox gives us the 1940 version for symphonic wind, conceived for Eugene Goossens and the Cincinnati orchestra.
Of the lesser-known items, I especially warmed to a triptych of “youthful toneworks” inspired by the verse of Rudyard Kipling, namely There were three friends (1898-9), We were dreamers and Fisher’s boarding house (both 1899). The last-named comprises a particularly captivating six-and-a-half minutes’ worth. In many ways, though, the most arresting music here can be found in the third movement of the In a nutshell suite. Entitled “Pastoral”, this is an unnerving, darkly intense creation, whose shimmering textures acquire an almost Ivesian complexity in the anguished central portion (play it to your friends and see if they can guess the composer). After this, the bounding vitality of the concluding “‘Gum-suckers’ march” could hardly form a more startling contrast.
Boasting tip-top, irrepressibly vivid Chandos sound, this well-filled CD makes supremely enjoyable listening. So go on: treat yourself!'

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