The Snooze Button

Odd Delius chose such mundane titles, while his orchestral music titles often evoke peaceful landscapes and garden settings.

If ever I have struggled with Delius' gentle handling and slowly developing music, these three concertos fit the bill.

None are particularly long, so they are easy to revisit. I particularly enjoy the Double Concerto. It reminds me of Appalachia, a piece which has a swell, Americana tune.

The others come and go pleasantly, and I really should revisit these again soon.

 

A review from 2023

British composer Frederick Delius’ String Concertos are each around 20 minutes in length. They display his penchant for a pastoral atmosphere that is rarely, if ever, disrupted by impetuosities. Best for a warm, drowsy, summer afternoon in one’s mind.

As a complete work, the Double Concerto for violin and cello remains my favorite. Delius shifts the variety of tempos and rhythmic ‘feels’ around nicely. There is a wonderful Americana tune that pops up every once in a while too, which draws this listener’s attention every time it appears.

The violin concerto prefers to amicably amble, and lovely though it is, it could use some perspiration on its lazy meandering. The cello concerto seems a little more hardy than the violin concerto, but its motions are also quite agrarian in nature.

Tasmin Little, a Delian devotee who also recorded these same works and with Raphael Wallfisch, has a golden spun tone that shimmers in this music. She is supple with the tempos, and never spins anything less than pure beauty into this music. Paul Watkins’ cello is more sturdy sounding and straight-forward, and I like his approach best of all. Watkins and Little pair quite nicely in the Double Concerto.

Not for those wanting strong-armed drama, Delius’ string concertos are for the relaxed personality and the musically patient. Beautiful music in fine Chandos SACD sound.

Listen on YouTube

         

Works
Violin Concerto (25.28)
Cello Concerto (21.23)
Violin & Cello Concerto (21.43)

Performers
Tasmin Little, violin
Paul Watkins, cello
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis, conductor

Label: Chandos
Year: 2011
Total Timing: 68.59

 

Good for those who are in the zone for peaceful music making. For me, it requires a little more effort.

No fault of these performers, both of whom I enjoy greatly!

 

 Find more Delius recordings HERE!