Favourite Delius recordings

[Barbirollians]

I have been listening a lot recently to the 2 CD of Delius recordings Barbirolli made towards the end of his life - the Appalachia and Bring Fair literally days before the end and I am struck how some of the music moves me more than it did with Beecham .

I suspect that might be to a degree because I had that 2 LP set Beecham conducts Delius in the 1980s and the pressings were typical of EMI at the time -cheap thin vinyl and noisy.

What are your favourite Delius recordings ? I am also very fond of that BBCMM Delius Sea Drift record with Thomas Hampson and Ralph Holmes and Handley in the Delius VC with the Suite and Legende , the du Pre/Sargent recording of the Cello Concerto and Handley's CfP recordings.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I love Delius' Music - it's something that gets more important for me the older I get. A particular favourite recording - not just for sentimental reasons, though these play their part - is the first I ever owned: the CfP LPO/Vernon Handley collection of miniatures.

[Stanfordian]

I love Delius' Music - it's something that gets more important for me the older I get. A particular favourite recording - not just for sentimental reasons, though these play their part - is the first I ever owned: the CfP LPO/Vernon Handley collection of miniatures.

Me too, there's virtually nothing of his I don't enjoy. Many of the tone poems are masterpieces and I love the concertos and have long admired for the string quartet and cello sonata. 'Mass of Life' and 'Requiem' are works I should get round to play more often.

[Pianoman]

I have that Handley CFP disc - and that's enough ! I've tried but Delius is definitely a one disc composer for me. Sitting through the Huddersfield Choral's Mass of Life a couple of years ago (and boning up beforehand with the Hickox recording) did nothing but convince me it's terrible...

[vinteuil]

I've tried but Delius is definitely a one disc composer for me. ...

... I don't think I have even one disc. Each time I happen to hear some Delius I think, mmm, that's quite pleasant, nice enough - but there's nothing there that makes me stop, nothing that holds me to savour a moment or a transition or a direction. I don't object to it, don't mind listening to it (there are plenty enuff composers whom I wd decidedly prefer not to listen to... ) - but in the end, meh...

When I had the power to do such things I declined providing funds for a Delius festival in France...

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[Stanfordian]

... I don't think I have even one disc. Each time I happen to hear some Delius I think, mmm, that's quite pleasant, nice enough - but there's nothing there that makes me stop, nothing that holds me to savour a moment or a transition or a direction. I don't object to it, don't mind listening to it (there are plenty enuff composers whom I wd decidedly prefer not to listen to... ) - but in the end, meh...

When I had the power to do such things I declined providing funds for a Delius festival in France...

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Blimey!

[Stanfordian]

I have that Handley CFP disc - and that's enough ! I've tried but Delius is definitely a one disc composer for me. Sitting through the Huddersfield Choral's Mass of Life a couple of years ago (and boning up beforehand with the Hickox recording) did nothing but convince me it's terrible...

I for one am glad we all admire different music.

[Pianoman]

I for one am glad we all admire different music.

Absolutely - and I must now add Sea Drift to pieces that I did go back to more than once, although even there I felt it went on just a bit too long to hold my interest..

[cloughie]

I love Delius' Music - it's something that gets more important for me the older I get. A particular favourite recording - not just for sentimental reasons, though these play their part - is the first I ever owned: the CfP LPO/Vernon Handley collection of miniatures.

I also really like Delius’ music. I got to know and love Appalachia, Hassan and Florida at a young age from my Father’s collection - Beecham LPs, and later the Barbirolli Appalachia. His miniatures are always a joy to hear as is the Violin Concerto. Like Stanfordian I still need to get into Mass of Life and Requiem but maybe there’ll be time for a listen dreckly. From comments so far Delius certainly has the Marmite tendency!

[jayne lee wilson]

I've adored it at some times in my life and.... who knows? I may find that particular passion again...

Chandos issues feature largely on my shelves, especially the Ulster orchestra/Handley in the Florida Suite c/w North Country Sketches....(if I had to choose one it would be this sensuous, sumptuously-recorded thing...Brian, Ralph and Philip Couzens, Ulster Hall 1985)

Sea Drift, Songs of Farewell, Songs of Sunset, and the Mass of Life (one for the Proms 1st night, perhaps..?) with the Bournemouth SO/Hickox....
I bought just about everything I could find of Beecham's and Barbirolli's EMI tapings (I even have the Toshiba of Barbirolli's Appalachia c/w Brigg Fair etc.), and a lovely Dutton disc of the HMV recordings 1946-52 from Beecham with the Dance Rhapsodies, Summer Night on the River..... That cover - White clouds, blue sky, Chestnuts and Oaks in full leaf....
I have a lovely disc of less well-known Danish Masterworks on Danacord...

I guess you could say I was a fan!

I don't play them much now, no, but - fondest recall; and - In the right mood, with the right ears, it is very lovable music. And, beyond RSPB recordings, probably the only way to hear a Cuckoo in Northern England in 2018...

[visualnickmos]

I've had a few Delius LPs and then CDs around for years, but it is really only in the last five years or so, that I've started to appreciate, then love the music of Mr D. Life and music really is a wonderful journey. Mass of Life - wow - pure enchantment; violin concerto (Ralph Holmes) is a wonderfully absorbing experience. Yes - a composer whose works I have come lately to enjoy - and well-worth the wait.

[EdgeleyRob]

Mass of Life,Hickox and Beecham
Violin Sonatas,Tasmin Little
String Quartet,Brodskys
Piano Concerto,Piers Lane
Double Concerto for Violin and Cello,any recording

[Barbirollians]

I left out to my shame the EMI Eminence recording of Paris by Mackerras - with whom did Barbirolli record Paris as JLW states ?

[Dave2002]

I for one am glad we all admire different music.

So am I. I tended to fall on the side of thoroughly disliking almost all of Delius' music, though I did get to like La Calinda and maybe a couple of other pieces. A few pieces work much better in a good live performance than on CD - but mostly I can't face them. Even now. Sorry!

I did once quite enjoy hearing the double concerto with Menuhin and Tortelier, and I think that Tasmin Little and Paul Watkins have done a version too.
Even so, I've only heard that a few times, and I'm not rushing to repeat the experience. For a solo violin concerto recording I believe that Ralph Holmes with Vernon Handley in Delius' violin concerto is one of the best.

[jayne lee wilson]

I left out to my shame the EMI Eminence recording of Paris by Mackerras - with whom did Barbirolli record Paris as JLW states ?

Sorry, I just checked that Toshiba - it was in fact Brigg Fair....with the Hallé of course.
That's the trouble with Japanese issues - very small print English titling...But careless of me, sorry...