Arnold Bax - Symphony No.1 in E flat • Symphony No.7*

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Myer Fredman, conductor
Raymond Leppard, conductor*

Label: Lyrita
Copyright: 1992 Lyrita Recorded Edition, England
Catalogue number: SRCD.232
UPC/EAN: 5020926023223
Format: CD
Analogue / Digital recording: ADD
Number of discs: 1
Total playing time: 77.56
Price: £ 14.99 (+ postage & packing)

Tracks 1 - 3: Recorded at Walthamstow, 31 September 1970, Producer: David Harvey, Engineers: Kenneth Wilkinson, Peter Van Biene
Tracks 4 - 6: Recorded at Kingsway Hall, 17 April 1974, Producer: Michael Woolcock, Engineer: Philip Wade

"... this Lyrita release is most welcome - the coupling of Bax’s first and last symphonic thoughts makes a good deal of sense. Both recordings still sound very well, and both performances are excellent. Returning to Leppard’s Seventh, with the almost Elgarian breadth that he draws from the theme of its finale’s variations, was an even more absorbing experience" Michael Oliver, Gramophone

"The word ‘feroce’ appears in the directive for the first movement of Bax’s First Symphony. Myer Fredman does not disappoint – there is something of a ‘dare’ about the horns’ fate-like gesture at the opening of the work, a defiance that runs through this movement ... This is a valuable disc, not least because it puts two substantive works by Bax side-by-side. Both performances do the scores justice and the recording is, as usual from this source, exemplary ..." Colin Clarke, www.musicweb-international.com Click here to read the full review

"By coupling a 1971 recording of the First conducted by Myer Fredman and a 1975 recording of the Seventh conducted by Raymond Leppard, those new to Bax can hear the wildly passionate First and the almost serene Seventh in deeply dedicated interpretations. Both Fredman and Leppard ably articulate Bax's organically episodic forms and clearly express the emotional cogency that binds them together. With the more than professional playing of the London Philharmonic and the amazingly realistic sound of Lyrita's stereo recording, this disc will surely win Bax more admirers among aficionados of the English symphony ..." James Leonard, www.allmusic.com Click here to read the full review

"In short, these performances haven't aged a bit - if you loved them then, you will love them still, and they can be recommended to all comers with enthusiasm ..." David Hurwitz, www.classicstoday.com Click here to read the full review