Delius: Orchestral Works (Paris; Brigg Fair; Eventyr; Irmelin; La Calinda)

This is a very fine Delius disc. It contains several of his very best works, including Paris (which could have been subtitled "An Englishman in Paris"), Brigg Fair, and Eventyr. This last item is a Nordic "troll and goblin" piece that at one point actually requires that the members of the orchestra give a loud shout. The composer no doubt intended it to be terrifying, but most orchestras don't really give it the oomph it needs to really get your hackles up. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra does better than most. The conductor is well known as an English music specialist--LP collectors will remember a particularly fine Bax Symphony No. 2 on Lyrita--and his interpretations do the music justice. --David Hurwitz