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Chandos

Bax: Oboe Quintet; Holst, Jacob, Moeran / Sarah Francis

$21.99 Only 2 left

Details

Composer
BAX JACOB MOERAN HOLST
Artist
Sarah, Francis
Format
CD
Label
Chandos
Released
Feb 27, 2008
Catalog #
CHAN 8392
UPC
095115839225

About

Bax's fine Quintet, its three movements composed in 1922, is the weightiest piece here, with numerous melodies that sound like Irish folktunes but are apparently original. The first movement has a rhapsodic introduction, the last is in the character of an Irish dance. As in the Harp Quintet (reviewed on page xxx) the textures are remarkably varied, and in the central Lento a long initial passage for strings alone is balanced by oboe cadenzas, solo and accompanied. Next in musical interest stands the Moeran, a quite powerfully moody single movement that passes through several distinct yet related areas of expression. Lacking the poetic imagination of these two works, Gordon Jacob's Quartet is still excellent, its four movements being written with clarity, economy and a ready invention. Like the Bax, it was designed for Leon Goossens.

Holst's contributions date from 1896, although the Pieces were revised in 1910. As Colin Matthews's sleeve-note honestly admits, there is nothing of the mature composer here, though he was already a deft craftsman. These performances, too, are most expressive and in general well recorded, although I feel that the oboe is rather forward in Bax's Quintet.

-- Gramophone [2/1985]

Tracklist 12 tracks

  1. 1 I. Tempo molto moderato - Allegro moderato 05:55
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Tempo molto moderato - Allegro moderato
    Duration
    05:55
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  2. 2 II. Lento espressivo 07:31
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Lento espressivo
    Duration
    07:31
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  3. 3 III. Allegro giocoso 04:28
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro giocoso
    Duration
    04:28
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  4. 4 Fantasiestücke, Op. 2: Air and Variations 03:02
    Track
    4
    Title
    Fantasiestücke, Op. 2: Air and Variations
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  5. 5 No. 1. March 03:29
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 1. March
    Duration
    03:29
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  6. 6 No. 2. Minuet 05:10
    Track
    6
    Title
    No. 2. Minuet
    Duration
    05:10
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  7. 7 No. 3. Scherzo 03:49
    Track
    7
    Title
    No. 3. Scherzo
    Duration
    03:49
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  8. 8 Fantasy Quartet 12:30
    Track
    8
    Title
    Fantasy Quartet
    Duration
    12:30
    Composer
    Ernest John Moeran
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    English String Quartet
  9. 9 I. Allegro moderato 07:00
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    07:00
    Composer
    Gordon Jacob
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    Cummings String Trio
  10. 10 II. Scherzo: Allegro molto 03:34
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Scherzo: Allegro molto
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    Gordon Jacob
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    Cummings String Trio
  11. 11 III. Andante semplice 07:08
    Track
    11
    Title
    III. Andante semplice
    Duration
    07:08
    Composer
    Gordon Jacob
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    Cummings String Trio
  12. 12 IV. Rondo: Allegro molto 04:17
    Track
    12
    Title
    IV. Rondo: Allegro molto
    Duration
    04:17
    Composer
    Gordon Jacob
    Performer
    Sarah Francis
    Ensemble
    Cummings String Trio