English String Miniatures, Vol. 4

Beginning a Survey at the End: Less Familiar British Works for Strings

The very fine concept and well-executed 'English String Miniatures' adds great depth to the appreciation of that particular British sound dealing with string orchestras. This Volume Four is most appealing because it offers works unfamiliar to most of us. David Lloyd-Jones conducts the fine Northern Sinfonia in performances that are assured, finely detailed and capture that special mood that suffuses each of these charming works.

One surprise to this listener was the work of Peter Hope whose 'Momentum Suite' opens this concert. The work incorporates tunes and dance melodies in the first two movements and rollicks in the third movement to an ever increasing rapid tarantella-like spin. Frank Bridge, one of the hallowed greats of English composers, is well represented with his 'Valse-Intermezzo' and 'Scherzo Phantastick' (sic), the latter in an arrangement from his string quartet in E minor.

Other less well-known but very fine composers - Adam Carse ('Sketches'), Ernest Tomlinson ('Graceful Dance') and Paul Lewis ('English Suite') provide diversions in the midportion of the recording and the final works include Holst's 'A Moorside Suite' and Delius' beautiful 'Aquarelles' (from his 'songs to be sung on a summer night').

David Lloyd-Jones has a particular affinity for this music and he draws lush string playing from the Northern Sinfonia. It makes an interesting diversion to begin listening to this four-volume set of English String Miniatures with Volume Four and creates a commitment to buy the other three volumes! Grady Harp, July 06
July 20, 2006

Charming music for strings

I picked up this recording on the strength of the first three volumes of the series even though this installment had few titles with which I was familiar. From the opening dance of Peter Hope's Momentum Suite I had a feeling I would not be disappointed. And I wasn't the rest of Hope's suite is as wonderful as it's opener with an Intermezzo that is beautiful and the playful third movement Momentum.

Next up two pieces, from composer Frank Bridge, both of which were new to me in this new string arrangements by Paul Hindmarsh. Fine examples of why Bridge is one of the last GREAT British composers, I'm accustomed to hearing them in their original string quartet formats, but Hindmarsh's effective treatments retain the feel of the original works.

Other famous composers represented on the disk are Holst with his Moorside Suite, written, as were most of his works for string orchestra, for the junior orchestra at St. Paul's Girls School. This work which seems so at home played by a string orchestra was originally composed for brass band... I just can't imagine, especially the gentle and flowing Nocturne movement.

Two other highlights are wonderful performances of Delius' Two Aquarelles, both arranged for string orchestra by Eric Fenby four years after the composer's death. The Lento has more than a touch of melancholy to it that is sure to put a lump in your throat.

Paul Lewis was unknown to me but his English Suite made me an immediate fan. Probably the most recent composition from the four volumes in the English String Miniatures series, composed in 1993, it sounds like both homage and pastiche at the same time. "Neo-pastoral", then? Yet still, the Meditation movement is just another example of how well the British write for string orchestra.

Pick this one up (and if you don't have volumes 1 -3, you'll need them as well). February 27, 2004

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