William Alwyn - Symphony No.1 • Symphony No.4
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Label: Lyrita
Tracks 1 - 4: Recorded at Walthamstow, 17 December 1974, Producer: James Walker, Engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson |
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"[Symphony No.4] a remarkably diverse and well-argued symphony, bursting with lyrical ideas and melodic in the way traditional music is communicative, without being old-fashioned. [Symphony No.1] is a work teeming with ideas, and quite often reminds one of Alwyn’s film music (which is not intended to be a pejorative remark). It is splendidly played and the Lyrita recordings (from the 1970s have been remastered most skilfully: the sound has body, weight, brilliance, and fine presence and clarity too) ..." Ivan March, Gramophone
"The London Philharmonic seemed to take Alwyn to its heart for these two eminently approachable symphonies in warm-hearted performances, recorded in crystalline detail yet with full-bodied sound ... it is tremendously involving taken on its own terms. At its best it can seem an exhilarating and rewarding journey ..." Colin Clarke, www.musicweb-international.com Click here to read the full review
"Best known for his five postwar symphonies, Alwyn's music is tonally and structurally conservative — the harmonies go no further than Debussy and the forms go no further than Elgar's — but with those harmonies and within those forms, Alwyn's music is wholly original, intimately personal, and entirely convincing ... Alwyn's insights and aspirations make his performances mandatory listening for anyone who already knows and loves his music and a splendid introduction for those who don't already know and love his music ..." James Leonard, www.allmusic.com Click here to read the full review |
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