Having acquired both the Teldec Andrew Davis British music boxset which includes his earlier BBCSO Delius recordings, and then recently his 2012 Delius Paris/Brigg Fair CD on Chandos (with the RSNO), I was a tad surprised to read Gramophone's rather negative review of the latter, mainly owing to the speed he takes Paris at (total timing 18'45) - probably the fastest ever, compared to 20-22 mins for most folk. For me that's the main reason the later recording works so well! There's a sense of urgency which makes the work more coherent, and the moments of repose are not underplayed.
Both versions are very well done of course, but the playing on the Chandos version seems more urgent, and passionate, say in the 'love theme' at 5'22. One well known online reviewer opined that one reason Beecham was so successful in Delius was that he usually took it faster than anyone else... I don't think that's the only reason (phrasing comes into it...) but he may have a slight point.
Strangely enough, Norman Del Mar, who I believe was a Beecham protege, conducted perhaps the slowest 'Paris' at 25'52 - but his phrasing of the love theme (three [!] minutes later than Davis), is also beautifully done while Beecham (in 1955 anyway) just sounds enervated.
I also prefer the later Davis Brigg Fair recording though there's not so much difference there - Beecham did do that work especially well, though his tempi seem fairly orthodox here, and in 'Paris'.
On the Chandos the coupling is Howard Shelley's excellent reading of the three movement version of the piano concerto - and here I'm a bit confused. The booklet is a bit opaque on which version is being played, I'm pretty sure it's the 1904 - the same as Piers Lane on Hyperion (whose booklet is also less than clear).
Both versions are very well done of course, but the playing on the Chandos version seems more urgent, and passionate, say in the 'love theme' at 5'22. One well known online reviewer opined that one reason Beecham was so successful in Delius was that he usually took it faster than anyone else... I don't think that's the only reason (phrasing comes into it...) but he may have a slight point.
Strangely enough, Norman Del Mar, who I believe was a Beecham protege, conducted perhaps the slowest 'Paris' at 25'52 - but his phrasing of the love theme (three [!] minutes later than Davis), is also beautifully done while Beecham (in 1955 anyway) just sounds enervated.
I also prefer the later Davis Brigg Fair recording though there's not so much difference there - Beecham did do that work especially well, though his tempi seem fairly orthodox here, and in 'Paris'.
On the Chandos the coupling is Howard Shelley's excellent reading of the three movement version of the piano concerto - and here I'm a bit confused. The booklet is a bit opaque on which version is being played, I'm pretty sure it's the 1904 - the same as Piers Lane on Hyperion (whose booklet is also less than clear).
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