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

$10.99
Label
Chandos
Release Date
April 29, 2008
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      BAX, ARNOLD
    • PERFORMER
      Lpo, Thomson
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 29, 2008
    • UPC
      095115145722
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      CHAN 10457 X
    • LABEL
      Chandos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic
    Works ⌄

    1. Part I: Overture -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    2. Part I: Entry of Karissima -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    3. Part I: Karissima Plays Golf -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    4. Part I: Karissima and Lady Vere -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    5. Part I: The Walking Lesson -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    6. Part I: Lord Vere Tells His Mother of His Love for Karissima -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    7. Part I: Karissima Appeals for Love -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    8. Part I: Karissima Droops Pathetically -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    9. Part I: Karissima's Dance of Joy -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    10. Part I: The Wedding Ceremony -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    11. Part I: Dance: Corps de ballet -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    12. Part I: The Wedding Service -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    13. Part I: A Wild Night - The Maestro -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    14. Part I: The Clock Strikes Twelve -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    15. Part I: Lord Vere Pleads for a Child -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    16. Part I: Karissima and Lord Vere Go Off in Gay Delight

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    17. Part II: Dance of Motherhood -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    18. Part II: The Funeral of Karissima –

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    19. Part II: Child's Dance -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    20. Part II: Karissima's Farewell -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    21. Part II: Finale: Allegro vivace

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    22. Prelude: Summer Night at the Window -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    23. The Wind Dances in the Garden -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    24. Molto più lento: Midnight Strikes -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    25. The Awakening -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    26. The Flower's Dance -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    27. The Dancer and the Clown -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    28. The Wind Dances Through the Room -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    29. Piu lento: The Clock Strikes One -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    30. The Flowers Dance Again -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    31. Piu lento: The Clock Strikes Two –

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    32. The Dancer Falls Weeping Into the Clown's Arms -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    33. The Clown Thrusts Her Aside and Scolds her -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    34. They Quarrel -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    35. The Wind -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    36. The Dancer Humbly Draws the Clown's Attention to the sad fate of his rival -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    37. The Dancer Turns Back to the Clown –

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    38. Dawn -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    39. The Clock Strikes Three -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    40. Everything is Still, a Sad Silence Reigns -

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson

    41. The Wind Blows the Dancer Into the Clown's Stiff Arms

      Composer: Arnold Bax

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Bryden Thomson




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