Frederick Delius Photo: Portrait by Jelka Rosen, Public Domain
Delius was an English composer but has always been considered one of the least ‘English’ of English composers. And no wonder: born into a family of Germanic extraction, he was strongly influenced by African-American music during his years as a young man in Florida; he studied in Germany, settled in France; influenced also by Grieg and Wagner.
He developed a style uniquely his own and may not have found a following in his country of birth – or anywhere – if it hadn’t been for fervent support from Sir Thomas Beecham.
Music details:
Delius: Twilight Fancies – soprano Dora Labette with Beecham at the piano, recorded in 1929 [SOMM BEECHAM 08]
Delius: Appalachia [Decca 425 156]
Grieg arr Tveitt: Ballade [Naxos 8.557854]
Delius: Paa Vidderne [EMI CDM 7 64054]
Delius: A Village Romeo and Juliet – New Zealander Denis Dowling singing in the classic Beecham recording of 1948 [EMI 7 64386]
Delius: Walk to the Paradise Garden [Naxos 8.557143]
Delius: A Mass of Life [Chandos CHAN 9515]
Delius: Requiem [EMI 5 75293]
Delius: Cello Concerto [EMI CDM 7 64175]
Delius: Violin Sonata No 2 [EMI 3705662]
