Essential for British music lovers
jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 06/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of two outstanding Lyrita discs of John Ireland's orchestral music, both of which are called "Boult Conducts Ireland." If you aren't familiar with Ireland's music I would start with this disc which includes extended works for piano ("Legend" for piano & orchestra, and the Piano Concerto) as well as a big choral work, "These Things Shall Be." The "Legend" is not a virtuoso showpiece, but rather an atmospheric orchestral work that prominently features piano. The concerto, on the other hand, reflects John Ireland's background as an accomplished pianist - it's an immensely likable work with a modern feel, full of color & with plenty of opportunities for the soloist to shine (Rubinstein, Curzon, & Bachauer among others played it).
The other extended work here is "These Things Shall Be," a three movement choral work that premiered in 1937 under the baton of Adrian Boult. I am not typically fond of big choral pieces, however, "These Things Shall Be" contains some of Ireland's most dynamic writing; you would swear that Vaughan Williams had a hand in it. The short pieces on the disc are also substantial: the "Satyricon" overture & "Symphonic Studies."
With the exception of "These Things Hall Be," I've owned these recordings on vinyl for more than 30 years & am thrilled that Lyrita has finally reissued them on cd. There are other fine recordings of most of this music (I own the Bryden Thomson & Hickox recordings on Chandos, also featuring Eric Parkin on piano), but these earlier performances by Adrian Boult with Eric Parkin & the LPO are really definitive. The stereo sound is also excellent.
Most highly recommended!"