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Bax: Orchestral Works Vol 9 / Bryden Thomson, London PO
Chandos

Bax: Orchestral Works Vol 9 / Bryden Thomson, London PO

$13.99

Details

Composer
BAX, ARNOLD
Artist
Lpo, Thomson
Format
CD
Label
Chandos
Released
Apr 29, 2008
Catalog #
CHAN 10457 X
UPC
095115145722

About



BAX The Truth about the Russian Dancers. From Dusk till Dawn • Bryden Thomson, cond; London PO • CHANDOS 10457 (67:12)


This is Volume 9 of Chandos’s midprice reissues of Bryden Thomson’s extensive survey of the orchestral music of Arnold Bax. The good news for Bax fans is that these are two obscure but major works showcasing the composer’s distinctive and highly personal orchestral style. The bad news is that the music is not qualitatively on the same level as any of his symphonies or major tone poems. From Dusk till Dawn and The Truth about the Russian Dancers were composed respectively in 1917 and 1920 when Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes visited London and immediately captured Bax’s artistic imagination. The Truth about the Russian Dancers (at 46 minutes) is a major score (despite its ridiculous plot), and both works are replete with Bax’s typical colorful orchestration. These ballets also prove that Bax is not to be compared with Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, or Delibes as a melodist. Nevertheless, both pieces have their melodic moments. The lengthy and pivotal “Dance of Motherhood” from The Truth about the Russian Dancers is a characteristic Baxian lyrical effusion. “Karissima’s Farewell” is suitably dramatic in a gentle sort of way, and the final allegro vivace dance achieves a level of dramatic urgency worthy of Prokofiev, who seems to be Bax’s principal influence in these ballets. From Dusk till Dawn contains several examples of lovely tone-painting, such as the aptly titled “Summer Night at the Window.” This may not represent Bax at his best, but there is plenty of gorgeously orchestrated, never-before recorded music here for the adventurous listener.


Bryden Thomson is obviously totally committed to Bax and conducts the music with plenty of rhythmic vitality. The sound is unequivocally Chandos, but on the top end of their game. Any Bax-lover will thoroughly enjoy this worthy presentation of some of his virtually unknown ballet music.


FANFARE: Arthur Lintgen

Tracklist 41 tracks

  1. 1 Part I: Overture - 04:10
    Track
    1
    Title
    Part I: Overture -
    Duration
    04:10
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  2. 2 Part I: Entry of Karissima - 01:15
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part I: Entry of Karissima -
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  3. 3 Part I: Karissima Plays Golf - 03:02
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part I: Karissima Plays Golf -
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  4. 4 Part I: Karissima and Lady Vere - 01:36
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part I: Karissima and Lady Vere -
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  5. 5 Part I: The Walking Lesson - 01:12
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part I: The Walking Lesson -
    Duration
    01:12
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  6. 6 Part I: Lord Vere Tells His Mother of His Love for Karissima - 00:18
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part I: Lord Vere Tells His Mother of His Love for Karissima -
    Duration
    00:18
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  7. 7 Part I: Karissima Appeals for Love - 00:28
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part I: Karissima Appeals for Love -
    Duration
    00:28
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  8. 8 Part I: Karissima Droops Pathetically - 01:02
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part I: Karissima Droops Pathetically -
    Duration
    01:02
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  9. 9 Part I: Karissima's Dance of Joy - 00:42
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part I: Karissima's Dance of Joy -
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  10. 10 Part I: The Wedding Ceremony - 01:37
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part I: The Wedding Ceremony -
    Duration
    01:37
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  11. 11 Part I: Dance: Corps de ballet - 01:18
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part I: Dance: Corps de ballet -
    Duration
    01:18
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  12. 12 Part I: The Wedding Service - 02:52
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part I: The Wedding Service -
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  13. 13 Part I: A Wild Night - The Maestro - 01:54
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part I: A Wild Night - The Maestro -
    Duration
    01:54
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  14. 14 Part I: The Clock Strikes Twelve - 00:17
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part I: The Clock Strikes Twelve -
    Duration
    00:17
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  15. 15 Part I: Lord Vere Pleads for a Child - 00:40
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part I: Lord Vere Pleads for a Child -
    Duration
    00:40
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  16. 16 Part I: Karissima and Lord Vere Go Off in Gay Delight 00:36
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part I: Karissima and Lord Vere Go Off in Gay Delight
    Duration
    00:36
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  17. 17 Part II: Dance of Motherhood - 06:16
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part II: Dance of Motherhood -
    Duration
    06:16
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  18. 18 Part II: The Funeral of Karissima – 05:34
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part II: The Funeral of Karissima –
    Duration
    05:34
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  19. 19 Part II: Child's Dance - 02:16
    Track
    19
    Title
    Part II: Child's Dance -
    Duration
    02:16
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  20. 20 Part II: Karissima's Farewell - 05:57
    Track
    20
    Title
    Part II: Karissima's Farewell -
    Duration
    05:57
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  21. 21 Part II: Finale: Allegro vivace 03:23
    Track
    21
    Title
    Part II: Finale: Allegro vivace
    Duration
    03:23
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  22. 22 Prelude: Summer Night at the Window - 02:07
    Track
    22
    Title
    Prelude: Summer Night at the Window -
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  23. 23 The Wind Dances in the Garden - 01:47
    Track
    23
    Title
    The Wind Dances in the Garden -
    Duration
    01:47
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  24. 24 Molto più lento: Midnight Strikes - 00:38
    Track
    24
    Title
    Molto più lento: Midnight Strikes -
    Duration
    00:38
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  25. 25 The Awakening - 01:35
    Track
    25
    Title
    The Awakening -
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  26. 26 The Flower's Dance - 01:27
    Track
    26
    Title
    The Flower's Dance -
    Duration
    01:27
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  27. 27 The Dancer and the Clown - 01:32
    Track
    27
    Title
    The Dancer and the Clown -
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  28. 28 The Wind Dances Through the Room - 01:11
    Track
    28
    Title
    The Wind Dances Through the Room -
    Duration
    01:11
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  29. 29 Piu lento: The Clock Strikes One - 00:16
    Track
    29
    Title
    Piu lento: The Clock Strikes One -
    Duration
    00:16
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  30. 30 The Flowers Dance Again - 03:11
    Track
    30
    Title
    The Flowers Dance Again -
    Duration
    03:11
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  31. 31 Piu lento: The Clock Strikes Two – 00:16
    Track
    31
    Title
    Piu lento: The Clock Strikes Two –
    Duration
    00:16
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  32. 32 The Dancer Falls Weeping Into the Clown's Arms - 00:12
    Track
    32
    Title
    The Dancer Falls Weeping Into the Clown's Arms -
    Duration
    00:12
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  33. 33 The Clown Thrusts Her Aside and Scolds her - 00:09
    Track
    33
    Title
    The Clown Thrusts Her Aside and Scolds her -
    Duration
    00:09
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  34. 34 They Quarrel - 00:37
    Track
    34
    Title
    They Quarrel -
    Duration
    00:37
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  35. 35 The Wind - 01:15
    Track
    35
    Title
    The Wind -
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  36. 36 The Dancer Humbly Draws the Clown's Attention to the sad fate of his rival - 00:59
    Track
    36
    Title
    The Dancer Humbly Draws the Clown's Attention to the sad fate of his rival -
    Duration
    00:59
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  37. 37 The Dancer Turns Back to the Clown – 00:50
    Track
    37
    Title
    The Dancer Turns Back to the Clown –
    Duration
    00:50
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  38. 38 Dawn - 00:27
    Track
    38
    Title
    Dawn -
    Duration
    00:27
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  39. 39 The Clock Strikes Three - 00:16
    Track
    39
    Title
    The Clock Strikes Three -
    Duration
    00:16
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  40. 40 Everything is Still, a Sad Silence Reigns - 00:52
    Track
    40
    Title
    Everything is Still, a Sad Silence Reigns -
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson
  41. 41 The Wind Blows the Dancer Into the Clown's Stiff Arms 00:39
    Track
    41
    Title
    The Wind Blows the Dancer Into the Clown's Stiff Arms
    Duration
    00:39
    Composer
    Arnold Bax
    Ensemble
    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Bryden Thomson