Green & Pleasant Land
British Music

Review by Karl Lozier
Click here to e-mail reviewer

  What a delightful selection of music by British composers. Though this could be called a "sampler" CD of a large number of fine Naxos recordings, do not think of it as that. It is far more. There was much thought given to the selections on this fine recording. To my ears the program seemed so logical as if specifically programmed for what was wanted not just to choose a selection from each of a large number of previous Naxos recordings.

Naxos is justly proud of their British Music series and the fact that individual discs have received awards form British magazines including Gramophone. Here the selections are supposedly united by a pastoral theme - do not let that fool you. You are not going to be put to sleep - far from it. The selections are varied in the extreme. Think of a music festival being put on by an outstanding symphony orchestra with their usual accompanying choral group. A few of the selections are just that. A couple are with a "quartet of their best instrumentalists" plus the chorus's best baritone and a pianist. In actuality there are separate well-known quartets, chamber groups and vocalists! Same then goes for a couple of the sopranos and so on.

The variety is there from obscure to well known. To top it all off, each track is audibly well done and appropriately so for the size of the group of performers and with no obviously audible flaws. Whether in an intimate setting, typical church or large concert hall the recorded acoustic perspective is fine. Highly recommend as a true introduction to British music not just some top twelve list. As an aside, with the word "Green" in the title I had expected to see Butterworth's, "On the Banks of Green Willow" and Vaughan Williams, "Fantasia on Greensleeves. Neither is included here. Many years ago my mind was attracted by the realization that there seemed to be a great many fine or better (but not the best) British composers whose family name begins the letter "B" though only three are represented here.

You need to listen for yourself to appreciate this outstanding recording. I am going to give the briefest of comments for a few of the fourteen compositions.

Morean: Symphony in G - Vivace. Delightful, sprightly and sparkling music. Fine reproduction, perspective is a bit forward of a mid-hall seat. Orchestral ensembles are almost impeccable.

Somervell: The Shropshire Lad - Loveliest of trees. Do not confuse this with Butterworth's well known A Shropshire Lad. The fine baritone's voice is very clearly and cleanly heard and with a realistic perception of soundscaping. The piano and singer naturally occupy the same acoustical plane. No artificial emphasis or effects here.

Bax: Summer Music. Notably excellent reproduced massed orchestral climaxes. The reproduction of the orchestra's fine playing is underscored with particularly solid bass underpinnings.

Elgar: Sospiri. Particularly lovely music almost hauntingly so in sections to my musical taste. This is scored for strings, harp and organ and all is captured beautifully and atmospherically. The organ is not the least bit over emphasized as might occur with some "audiophile" recordings.

Vaughn Williams: On Wenlock Edge. Some particularly unusual and interesting scoring for the instrumental accompaniment. A beautiful and totally unexpected touch to me.

Howells: Like as the hart. A favorite of mine with male chorus and organ. You are there in a high ceiling church with stone walls. If not true, you need to upgrade your sound system.

Arnold: Four Cornish dances. These colorfully scored (for large orchestra) dances based on folk or folk-like themes have long been regarded as audiophile favorites. The reproduction here will not disappoint in any manner!

Enough teasing snippets. With Naxos' bargain pricing and fine though brief liner notes, just go out and buy it. Whoa, holiday season is starting. This recording should make both music lovers and audiophiles on your gift list happy and contented.