Sir Arthur Sullivan
Sir Arthur Sullivan
Pineapple Poll/Irish Symphony
(avg)
Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones
Label: Naxos
CD No: 8.570351
This CD of music by the king of English operetta, Sir Arthur
Sullivan, adds to David Lloyd-Jones' already extensive and
successful discography for Naxos.
The disc kicks off with Sir Charles Mackerras' witty ballet,
Pineapple Poll, devised and constructed using the most famous of
Sir Arthur's melodies with orchestral reconstruction where
vocal lines should be. The toe-tapping tunes are all linked by The
Bumboat Woman's Story, a story of Sullivan's librettist W S
Gilbert, which in later years formed the basis of HMS Pinafore.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's (RLPO) approach to
this delightful score is not only sensitive to the lightness of the
music but also humorous and superbly coloured. Lloyd-Jones'
attention to detail and balance is second to none with well-placed
and crisp solos amid glorious full orchestral passages of dynamic
variety and emotional intensity.
This account of a much-underperformed work is a rival to
Mackerras' own recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra and
will doubtless leave you singing along with many a recognisable
ditty.
Coupled with this melodic tour de force is Sullivan's youthful
Symphony in E. Written at the age of 21 while on a holiday in
Ireland, the opening movement is dripping with lush Romantic
passages that suggest Mendelssohn and Schubert. The sub-heading
'Irish' is not misplaced and the following movements
include folksong-like melodies of a distinct Irish flavour. As with
the ballet, the RLPO attacks Sullivan's score with a striking
vigour and a sincere sense of fun.
Once again Lloyd-Jones presents us with another tremendous
recording. This disc is a welcome addition to any dedicated
Sullivan fan's collection. Here you will find gripping and
exciting accounts of great music by one of England's
underappreciated orchestral composers. Andrew
King
This review was submitted by a Muso reader and the opinions
expressed reflect solely the opinions of the writer, not those of
Muso magazine or its publisher. Muso cannot guarantee the accuracy
of any information provided
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