After almost half a century of neglect,the works of this master craftsman of English light music are at last becoming available on disc. Hubert Clifford's 'Kentish Suite' is a fine example of the best both in this genre and in the emerging musical tastes of the period combining a rare quality of academic skills, working seamlessly in its construction, with inspired ever-fresh melodic inventiveness,flawless orchestration and a clear sense of musical logic that faithfully follows the non-musical argument through. Highly entertaining and colourful it is - its mixture of folk-song and polyphony blending well with more contemporary elements and a splash of show-biz. Enjoy it for what it is. It will repay your moments of attention. Dare we hope for 'The Cowes Suite' soon?
Edgar Bainton (1880-1956) wrote in a late romantic idiom rather typical of English music at the time (think Dyson and Bax); his Epithalamion is a relatively conservative with a hint of impressionism, but it is very well crafted, gorgeously scored and with some attractive melodic material. It is definitely interesting enough to sustain the occasional listening, although it is hardly a masterpiece. An English Idyll, written in 1946 when the composer was living in Australia, is a nostalgic, somewhat dated setting of a poem by the critic Neville Cardus, containing many very fine moments. Don't expect too much and you'll be amply rewarded.
Hubert Clifford (1904-1959) was an Australian composer spending much of his life in England. He wrote some serious music (such as the symphony featured on another Chandos disc), but is here represented by some well-crafted, melodically attractive light music. A Kentish Suite is colorful and charming, and the Five English Nursery Tunes appropriately touching and atmospheric. The short Casanova Melody is worthless, but the short tone poem Shanagolden provides for a rather evocate and stirring listening experience.
So there are no forgotten masterpieces on this disc - but there is certainly some attractive, colorful music that is well worth hearing. The BBC Philharmonic provides fine performances of color and panache, and Martyn Brabbins directs the music thoughtfully. They clearly make as good a case for these works as one could hope for. The recorded sound is clear and warm. If nothing else, this disc is sure to appeal to lovers of British music of the period, and overall, the release deserves a rather firm recommendation for those on the lookout for tuneful and attractive lighter music.
