Aarhus Symphony Orchestra / Douglas Bostock - Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Sym In A Minor/Hiawatha's [CD]

"(His) Symphony is a very likeable discovery. Both middle movements display a disarming melodic felicity and assurance, and admiring glances towards Dvorák, although Stanford (his teacher) was never happy with the finale. It was first played by RCM students in 1896 (including Holst and Vaughan Williams !). Although it went down well, it gathered dust for over a century. Bostock's alert and affectionate lead enjoy making it's acquaintance... crisp and clear sound for this world premiere recording. In every respect, a solid thumbs-up" [Gramophone] "The much-loved Hiawatha's Wedding Feast recalls the extraordinary excitement of it's first performance. Coleridge-Taylor was then 23 and the work an immediate and wild success. Parry suggested that because of the composer's West African father, "he loved plenty of sound, plenty of colour, simple and definite rhythms and, above all, plenty of tune". All these qualities kept it popular, and are admirably captured here: the Philharmonia provide the orchestral colour, and Sir Malcolm keeps the admirable Royal Choral Society on their rhythmic toes. Richard Lewis gives a suitably romantic Onaway! Awake, beloved ! Hiawatha's Wedding Feast has been done proud in every way" [Gramophone]

Tracklist:

1. Symphony in a Minor, Op. 8 (1896)
2. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1 (1898)
3. Symphony In A Minor, Op. 8: III. Scherzo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
4. Symphony In A Minor, Op. 8: IV. Allegro Maestoso Ed Energico
5. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: I. You Shall Hear How Pau-Puk-Keewis
6. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: II. Then The Handsome Pau-Puk-Keewis
7. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: III. He Was Dress'd In Shirt Of Doe-Skin
8. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: IV. First He Danc'd A Solemn Measure
9. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: V. Then Said They To Chibiabos
10. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: VI. Onaway! Awake, Beloved
11. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: VII. Thus The Gentle Chibiabos
12. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: VIII. Very Boastful Was Iagoo
13. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Op. 30 No. 1: IX. Such Was Hiawatha's Wedding

UPC: 5055354414626
Label: ALTO
Release Date: 2.18.22
Format: CD