London Philharmonic Orchestra & Sir Adrian Boult - Boult Conducts Butterworth, Warlock, Hadley & Howells (2007/2019) [24/192]

The reputation of George Butterworth, whose life was tragically cut short in WWI, rests on a handful of works including the orchestral pieces on this recording. Philip Heseltine (Peter Warlock) left just three orchestral works, including An Old Song. Hadley's One Morning in Spring was written for his teacher Vaughan Williams. Herbert Howells's early orchestral and chamber works have ravishing pastoral beauty.

"…sympathetic accounts… Butterworth's Two English Idylls, The Banks of Freen Willow and the sublime Shropshire Lad rhapsody. Tension levels rise markedly for exceptionally insightful readings of Howells's Procession, Merry-Eye Elegy (an extraordinarily rapt display) and lively 1949 diptych Music for a Prince (these last three with the NPO). Warlock's An Old Song and Patrick Hadley's gorgeous One Morning in Spring (written in 1942 for Vaughan Williams's 70th birthday) complete the feast." (Gramophone Magazine)

"a welcome sample of the work of a highly discriminating composer. Merry-Eye offers some lively and attractive invention…Supreme performances and recording, with an outstanding coupling of Butterworth's items" (Penguin Guide)

Tracklist:
1. 2 English Idylls: No. 1 Allegro moderato 04:58
2. 2 English Idylls: No. 2, Adagio non troppo 04:32
3. The Banks of Green Willow 05:33
4. A Shropshire Lad 08:35
5. An Old Song 05:56
6. One Morning in Spring 03:54
7. Procession, Op. 36 04:51
8. Merry Eye, Op. 20 No. 2 08:50
9. Elegy, Op. 15 09:05
10. Music for a Prince Suite: I. Corydon's Dance 07:11
11. Music for a Prince Suite: II. Scherzo in Arden 05:17

Personnel:
Herbert Downes, viola
Desmond Bradley, violin
Gillian Eastwood, violin
Albert Cayzer, viola
Norman Jones, cello
London Philharmonic Orchestra
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Adrian Boult, conductor

Digitally remastered