[.ca] Lyra Angelica/Autumn Legend/Pa

From Amazon.com:
Alwyn (1905-85) is one of the more neglected British composers of this century. His music, as presented on this Chandos state-of-the-art release, successfully avoids the lushly lyrical specter of Vaughan Williams. (Alwyn sometimes takes deep bows to Vaughn Williams with his occasional use of atonality, particularly in his symphonies and works for string orchestra). These works are for string orchestra and harp (Lyra Angelica), cor anglais (Autumn Legend) and viola (Pastoral Fantasia). If Alwyn has a soul-mate, it's probably his older (and just as cranky) contemporary Arnold Bax. This disc is an excellent introduction to Alwyn. --Paul Cook

Wonderful!:
I had never heard of William Alwyn until I happened to catch a recording of "Lyra Angelica." It had such an etherealness to it, such beauty and joy, reminding me of the sky and clouds, etc. It has so many subtle treasures hidden in it that it deserves repeated listening...the rest of the cd is wonderful, too, but I'd give all of the five stars for "Lyra Angelica" itself.

Wonderful recording:
This recording is truly beautiful. Buy it!

Majestic:
I first heard this music on my clock radio. I had tuned in the local NPR station to help me fall asleep, but as soon as the "Pastoral Fantasia" played, I couldn't possibly sleep with such majestic and soulful music playing. I had never heard of Alwyn, and struggled to find the CD, but now I play it every day. I find the music penetrating my life in so many ways, and it resonates in my mind constantly. Putting this CD in my stereo in the morning is like heaven on earth. Even my friends who do not care for classical music find the Alwyn CD addictive!

Fantastic journey into the composers mind.:
William Alwyn has captured pure beauty in his music. The Pastoral Fantasia embodies much of what Debussy tried to capture in his music; sunsets, trees, waves, clouds, and all that represents beauty and majesty in the natural world. The quality of this CD is excellent, just make sure you play it loud and with maximum bass capability! It will touch your soul.

A Work Of Sublime Beauty:
William Alwyn may not be as well known as other 20th Century British composers but that is not due to the quality of his music. The 3 shorter works on this cd (Autumn Legend, Pastoral and Tragic Interlude) are quite representative of this composer but when we come to Lyra Angelica (Angel's Song, for harp and string orchestra) we come to a work in a class by itself. Composed in the early 1950's it would be the height of under statement to call this piece a work of sublime beauty. Do not however expect a work with fine melodies that are surface gloss. It is a work whose melodies are complex with depth, being finely worked by the composer. Aaron Copland once said that beauty is that which makes us despair. If that be true than the 3rd movement is sheer beauty. It can bring forth a mulitude of emotions ranging from solitude, nostalgia and Copland's sense of despair. Alwyn himself loved that movement most of all among all his works and requested that it be played at his funeral. The performance here is all that one can ask for aided by the always fine Chandos sound. If you do not know this work then you are truly missing something special.

• Autumn Legend For Cor anglais And String Orchestra (1954): Molto moderato
• Pastoral Fantasia For Viola And String Orchestra (1939): Moderato
• Tragic Interlude For 2 Horns, Timpani And String Orchestra (1936): Adagio, marcato e appassionata
• Lyra Angelica - Concerto For Harp And String Orchestra (1954): I Adagio
• Lyra Angelica - Concerto For Harp And String Orchestra (1954): II Adagio, ma non troppo
• Lyra Angelica - Concerto For Harp And String Orchestra (1954): III Moderato
• Lyra Angelica - Concerto For Harp And String Orchestra (1954): IV Allegro jubiloso