Search - Parry, Eng. Northern Phil, Lloyd-Jones :: Victorian Concert Overtures

Charming, boisterous and confident works in generally fine p

G.D. | Norway | 01/19/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A rather endearing release of dashing, spirited, charismatic and very, very English works, this one. Lloyd-Jones and the English Northern Philharmonia provide generally spirited and characterful performances, although they are no match for the classics in Froissart (think Barbirolli, for instance) - nor do they eclipse competing accounts in Parry or Sullivan (which are the items that, to my knowledge, are generally available elsewhere). That said, even these works receive fine performance, and Froissart is at least swaggering and bustling with spirit and flair - it's the depth and richness that is to some extent absent.



It is, however, the other four works that are probably going to draw people to this issue. Mackenzie's `Brittania' receives what is probably the best reading of the works here, full of power and flair and charm, but unfortunately inversely correlated with the quality of the work - this is, I think, the weakest work on the disc, consisting of empty boastfulness and little more. Pierson's Roméo and Juliet is hardly memorable, either, but is a fine, attractive work worth hearing nonetheless (if not exactly demanding a reinvestigation of this forgotten composer). The same applies to Corder's attractively colorful Prospero. Macfarren's Chevy Chace overture is, however, thoroughly endearing - full of spirit and life, snap and sparkle and some really catchy tunes; indeed, it is probably the main reason to acquire this disc. In any case, the notes are detailed and the sound quality pretty good, so all in all, this is a very recommendable release of some very attractive music, and deserves a firm recommendation."