Search - Hubert Parry, Matthias Bamert, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Parry: Symphony Nos. 3 & 4

English Romantic Excellence

Jon Linin | London, UK | 07/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If my house was ablaze and I had time to save one CD on my way out of the door this would be it. The first piece of Parry I ever heard was the third movement of the fourth symphony - it was on a Chandos sampler disc; it was tuneful, light, almost dancing, and it captivated me. I am pleased to say that when I bought the CD I was not disappointed. The third symphony is a joy, full of good tunes sumptuously orchestrated ending in a wonderful finale with Parry's trademark of a strong tune worked through a series of variations. As in the 4th Symphony the scherzo is an almost dance like tune of great charm. The 4th symphony is one of the great secrets of English classical music, the coda of the 1st movement shows a change of pace and mood unmatched in any other symphony, ending in a mood of nobilmente that pre-dates Elgar's similar style by more than a decade and, for sure Elgar never did it better. The finale is a full tilt and full power romantic period classic. According to the Germans we were "the land without music" but this stuff leaves Brahms and Schumann standing."

Excellent performance of good (if not great) music

chefdevergue | Spokane, WA United States | 10/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CHH Parry was about the best England had to offer in the last 3 decades of the nineteenth century, the English equivalent of Camille Saint-Saens ("a first-rate second-rate composer," it has been said). Parry's contribution to English music should by no means be underestimated, but he has been overshadowed by the successive generation of composers --- men like Elgar & Vaughan Williams (who was one of Parry's pupils).Parry's music may not reach the first tier levels of Elgar's or Vaughan Williams' music, but it is splendid & listenable music nonetheless, and deserving of more notice. Evidently this was the premier recording of the 4th Symphony (first performed in 1889), which comes as something of a suprise to me. This music is well-crafted and quite beautiful, and worth listening to.Chandos has gone on to record all of Parry's symphony's and most of his choral music over the last decade; this perhaps will serve to rescue Parry from his undeserved obscurity."

Best Introduction to Parry

Hegelian | Concord, MA USA | 05/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc represents the best introduction to this neglected composer. Bamert's complete set of the symphonies almost single-handedly rescued the composer from obscurity, and this disc is the best of the best. Listen to how the opening of the first movement of the 3rd Symphony strides confidently forward. Both symphonies are full of wonderful melodies and compositional craftsmenship. They are a celebration of life."