add to wish list | library


13 of 13 recommend this,
would you recommend it?

yes | no

Support this site by purchasing from these vendors using the paid links below. As an Amazon Associate SA-CD.net earns from qualifying purchases.
 
amazon.ca
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com
amazon.de
 
amazon.fr
amazon.it
 
 

Reviews: Delius: Orchestral Works - RPO/Seaman

read discussion

Reviews: 5

Review by Allan1us September 22, 2005 (2 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
How wonderful to hear these atmospheric works in equally atmospheric surround sound. Another RPO-Membran bargain beautiful performances by the RPO at the top of its form with a young British conductor who does these works proud.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no

Review by raffells December 4, 2005 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
Yes these are wonderfully atmospheric works and a very nicely recorded and played set of works,This is by Delius standards is a Very Large Orchestral version compared with some of the earlier versions.The conducter seems to cope with this my seemingly slowing down the performances and this leads to a pretty near half asleep first cuckoo in Spring.Interesting interpretation?.The Walk to Paradise Garden is similairly a slow romantic dreamlike quality.La Colinda gains a little in this way but I feel as though you have lost a nice bouncy theme in the process..Delius music hardly ever reaches great sonic intensity and only in the very early Over the Hills and Far away do we get any intensity to finalize the disc.Im not sure that putting his weakest stylistic work at the end is really a good idea.The skill is in the simplistic watercolour type music painting with subtle contrasting time shifts. Presented here in a luxury romantic style.As we are unlikly to get a deluge of Delius music on sacd which is a pity as theres plenty out there Then this is certainly worthwhile.At bargain price you certainly cannot really complain but for the serious Delius diehard consider this a slightly alternative version.Sonic quality is five star CTS studio recording...Boring cover and out of date but helpfull notes.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no

Review by Edvin March 7, 2006 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
Delius, I used to disappear after some fiften minutes. It all sounds the same. Well, it doesn´t, and yet it does. It all depends on how it is performed. My first encounter with Delius was a Barbirolli Lp from 1969, and of course I love it still. Since then I have read in Gramophone that Beecham is the greatest Delius interpreter ever, without agreeing.

I prefer the slower tempi from Barbirolli and the more romantic approach of his. Even so, I still used to think about other things after a while when listening to his music, no matter who the conductor was.

So here comes this budget price Membran sacd and my hopes were very low. More fool me, as this leads the RPO in full blooded performances that reeks of passion and sensitivity. Tempi are rather quick here and there, but the power of emotion and evocation is...oh yes. Seaman is the most sensitive Delius conductor ever, let´s argue over a detail here or there. But overall this takes a lot to be beaten. I play this sacd over and over again, a love affair.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no

Review by Claude March 29, 2006 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
I cannot agree on the 5 star sonic ratings the other reviewers have given, because these recordings don't come close to the best available on SACD (and even CD).

They sound dynamic and detailed, but lack a homogenic image of the orchestra, because they are heavily multimiked. For that reason, the few louder passages also sound rather congested. All in all, it reminds me of the Deutsche Grammophon recordings of the 70's and early 80's. The strings sound warm and smooth though, unlike other Membran SACDs I have heard.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no

Review by gonzostick July 28, 2009 (8 of 9 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:    
This is a lovely recording of beautiful music. The RPO plays splendidly and lushly for this conductor, who elicits wonderful performances that SING and capture the nature moods of Frederick Delius in a most magical way.

Compared to the classic performances by Beecham and Mackerras on RBCD, Seaman does a very nice job of keeping the music moving, just like B and M do, which can be a trap for most conductors when doing Delius.

The solo turns by RPO musicians are stunning. The surround mix bends the orchestra around the listener in a 270 degree arc.

DO NOT MISS. This is actually a very good starter collection of the composer's work.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no