Delius - 3 Small Tone Poems: Summer Evening - Part 1/3

[saunders2159]

There is no piece by Delius that is not beautifully crafted, atmospheric and tuneful, but this and the Florida Suite reach the absolute heights.

[daddycarty]

Simply beautiful

[19jazz42]

Have you got Paris by Delius

[73soulboy]

Heard this for the first time just yesterday, 28 - 07 - 2011,on Classic FM.Very beautiful and very pretty.Pax to all from73soulboy.Xxx.

[alger3041]

I should point out that there is another piece in the orchestral literature by the same title, "Summer Evening," by Kodaly. I have heard it a few times.

I humbly suggest that this Delius piece is vastly superior as far as depicting what is indicated by the title. One can feel it in the music. The Kodaly piece gets performed in concert occasionally, this one never, yet, at least I feel, that this is far more deserving of attention.

[ferociousgumby]

Generally speaking Delius is too mild and wallpaper-ish for me.

[steeeeevve]

The repetition of the same phrase is too much sometimes.

[Baruchyoseph8]

@steeeeevve There is a very good movie about Eric Fenby and Delius .... in it Delius who is totally disable, is composing by humming to Fenby - his use of repetitive phrasings throughout all his works is very evident ... its his unique style.

[beaulieuby]

What a crying shame that this piece isn't better known - I can't ever remember hearing it on radio.

[alger3041]

@beaulieuby I absolutely agree with your sentiments - it most definitely SHOULD be better known!

And as a matter of fact, I HAVE heard it on the radio once or twice. It was in a Beecham album of Delius miniatures.

[bobareebop]

Sheer beauty - but extra special sheer beauty from 4:40 to 5:02.

[devoludo]

Delius orchestrated like no other: infinite, exquisitely beautiful shades and colors balanced perfectly. These are paintings in sound. He is the most gifted orchestrator I know of, able to reveal the true evocative potential of a symphony orchestra. This piece is testament.

[londonscot1]

Thank you very much, inmusiciki, for posting his clip. Delius's music is like no other. Absolutely unmistakeable and once heard, never forgotten.

If you haven't already done so, I strongly recommend Eric Fenby's biography "Delius As I Knew Him" (1936). It's out-of-print now but I picked up a second-hand copy on Amazon.

[imusiciki]

Your welcome londonscot1!

[kapariz44]

Ken Russell's film - I think it was called "Song of Summer" - is also interesting, and is seen through the eyes of Eric Fenby, There are times when I think I can detect some similarities with the music of Arnold Bax, esp. in the more sumptuous stuff.

[londonscot1]

Thanks kapariz44 -

Ken Russell's "Song of Summer" is available on BBC DVD. It's a remarkable movie and, according to Fenby, who was standing on the sidelines as they recreated the scene when he was first introduced to wheelchair-bound and blind Delius, uncannily accurate.

I don't know much about Arnold Bax but if his music is as sumptuous as Delius, I shall certainly seek it out. Do you have any favourite Bax pieces that you could recommend for a novice such as myself?!

Thanks.

[kapariz44]

As well as many tone poems, probably the best known of which is Tintagel, one of my faves of Bax is the second movement (lento) of his 7th. symphony. It reminds me of a languid summer afternoon, broken only by a brief thunderstorm occurring, I think, shortly after the "in legendary mood" middle section (music here a bit more businesslike). The first symphony, esp. 1st. movement, has music of a powerfully lyrical character and the fourth is one which wows me in places with its sumptuousness.

[londonscot1]

kapariz44 -

Many thanks for your Bax recommendations. I'll seek them out!

[sonsofsibelius]

I would recommend Delius by Delius (his sister) it gives a wonderful insight into his family life.

[kevindsunshinestate]

@londonscot1 Hear, hear. Mr. Fenby's room is remarkable--a true celebration of life, even in our sunset years. It changed the way I saw old age. There is no composer quite like Delius. His music is as exhilarating as the rush of a waterfall. 

[kevindsunshinestate]

@kevindsunshinestate Apologies--I meant book and not room!

[londonscot1]

@kevindsunshinestate - thanks for your comment. Delius must have been an absolute pain to live with but the musical legacy is huge. Pity he was overlooked at this year's Proms (2011 season). Went to the Proms performance of "Song of the High Hills" two years ago.  The work was obviously unfamiliar to a large portion of the audience because, at the end, there was a general murmer of appreciation / surprise. Proms organisers please take note!

[kingofwalzer]

sweet music :)