Classical Editor: Rob Barnett


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Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com


Reviews from other months
ROYLANCE David and GALVIN Bob. The Tall Ships Suite; Ocean Fantasia; Voyager. Alan Hicks (piano). Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Bill Connor. Conifer CDCF 901 [DDD] [54' 38"].

We have been advised that this disc is no longer available Sept 99

 






This is a curious disc and the sleeve-notes / booklet has four excellent pictures by Edward Walker but we are told absolutely nothing about the composers and any other work of theirs. Compositions by two composers are infuriating. We do not know who is responsible for what. It is rather like the Berkeley / Britten Suite: Mont Juic of 1937 - who wrote what? All that is known is that it was written when these two composers lived together before Peter Pears became Britten's friend and lover.

The music is colourful with a gorgeous sound and sometimes of epic proportions. It tends to be lengthy and defeat itself whereas it does not compare with the great orchestral works of the sea such as Debussy's La Mer, Bax's Tintagel, Bridge's The Sea and Britten's Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes or Humphrey Searle's Tamesis.

But it is pleasant enough and would make stirring film music: "Hey-ho, me hearties!" Sadly, we do not have Robert Newton, Errol Flynn or that dashing villain Basil Rathbone any more.

Reviewer

David Wright

 Performances

Recording

Reviewer

David Wright

 Performances

Recording

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