Release Date: 02 March 2008
Label: Chandos - Classics / Chandos
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 095115145722
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: BAX
Description
The latest re-issue in the Bax Orchestral Works series is music he composed for theatre. Bax may seem an unlikely composer of ballet music, but these works demonstrate that he was in fact richly qualified, and the results are products of a composer who had a long-standing ambition to compose for the ballet. \Above all, this is almost unadulteratedly happy Bax, unshadowed, often gorgeously opulent; sometimes gorgeously stage-struck and vociferous. Bax, you get the distinct impression, was blissfully stage-struck and ballet-daft, and enjoyed every minute of his brief career in the theatre wrote 'Gramophone' on the original release.Bax was commissioned to write 'The Truth about the Russian Dancers', a J.M Barrie extravaganza from the 1920s (originally intended for the Ballet Russes), written for a production that was half-dance, half stage play and enjoyed great popularity at the time, but the complete orchestral score was not heard again until the premiere recording on Chandos. This is coupled with the shorter piece, 'From Dusk Till Dawn' which presents a clear Ravelian influence. Highlighting the Russian elements of Bax's style at their clearest, the two works are performed complete and prove to be "lively and fanciful pictorial music which makes for agreeable listening." (Dance and Dancers). Both scores give a flavour of a facet of British musical life in the early 1920s, and are most closely related to Bax's Tone Poems. They "savour the lyrical warmth and generous orchestral colours, which reflects Bax's self-description as 'a brazen Romantic'" (Dance and Dancers).Both works are performed by Bryden Thomson conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and available for the first time at Classics price.""
Tracklisting
Jonathan Aasgaard; Sinfonia of London; John Wilson
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra; Halle Choir; John Storgards
Janacek:Martinu:Haas
Palm Court Theatre Order
Sydney So:Pikler
Sara Dowling; Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
Dame Sarah Connolly; Joseph Middleton
James Ehnes; BBC Philharmonic; Juanjo Mena
