Sir Arthur Bliss: Checkmate Suite; Hymn to Apollo; Quintet for Clarinet & Strings; Pastoral

On this CD:

1. Checkmate, ballet, Op. 57 Suite
Composed by Arthur Drummond Bliss
Performed by Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley

2. Quintet for clarinet & strings, Op 50
Composed by Arthur Drummond Bliss
Performed by Janet Hilton

3. Hymn to Apollo for orchestra, Op 41
Composed by Arthur Drummond Bliss
Performed by Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley

4. Music for Strings, Op 54
Composed by Arthur Drummond Bliss
Performed by Northern Sinfonia of England
Conducted by Richard Hickox

5. Pastoral, "Lie Strewn the White Flocks", for mezzo, chorus, flute, timpani & strings, Op 46
Composed by Arthur Drummond Bliss
Performed by Northern Sinfonia of England
Conducted by Richard Hickox

Tracks:

Checkmate Suite: I Prologue: The Players
Checkmate Suite: II Dance Of The Four Knights
Checkmate Suite: III Entry Of The Black Queen
Checkmate Suite: IV The Red Knight's Mazurka
Checkmate Suite: V Ceremony Of The Red Bishops
Checkmate Suite: VI Finale: Checkmate
Quintet For Clarinet And Strings: I Moderato
Quintet For Clarinet And Strings: II Allegro molto
Quintet For Clarinet And Strings: III Adagietto espressivo - Allegro moderato
Quintet For Clarinet And Strings: IV Allegro enerigico
Hymn To Apollo

Tracks:

Music for Strings: I Allegro moderato, energico
Music for Strings: II Andante, molto sostenuto
Music for Strings: III Allegro molto
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': I Introduction And The Shepherd's Holyday
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': II A Hymn To Pan
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': III Pan's Saraband
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': IV Pan And Echo
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': V The Naiads' Music
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': VI The Pigeon Song
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': VII The Song Of The Reapers
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': VIII Finale
Pastoral 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks': IX The Sheperd's Night-Song

Customer Reviews:

Best Bargain Bliss.......2001-01-11

For those who have not yet discovered the music of Sir Arthur Bliss, former Master of the Queen's Music, this is an excellent introduction.

The Music for Strings is a moving piece, not unlike the Elgar Inroduction and Allegro in style, although in the singular language that can only be Bliss. Under Hickox and the Northern Sinfonia, it is very moving.

The Checkmate suite is, I think, the best introduction for those who wish to explore Bliss' music. Easily approachable, with gorgeous scrunchy chords and near-dissonances, and vital lively rhythms. It is wonderfully played by Handley and the Ulster Orchestra.

The Hymn to Apollo is rarely performed (or indeed recorded) nowadays, and is good to have this brilliant piece available again, especially when is it so movingly performed by Hickox and the UO.

The Clarinet Quintet, too, is not often heard, and this excellent performance by Janet Hilton and the Lidsay Quartet is particularly well recorded.

The Pastoral "Lie strewn the white flocks" is typical of Bliss' sound world and once heard the haunting music is never forgotten. Again, the recording is excellent.

All this on 2 CD's for the price of one - how can you not buy it?

Music Review: