CD REVIEW – WORKS FOR STRING ORCHESTRA
SINFONIA OF LONDON / JOHN WILSON
CHANDOS CHSA 5325 [TT 66.38]

Georges Enescu (1881-1955) was a Romanian composer who became famous with his two Romanian Rhapsodies, written when he was 20. His most eminent violin pupil was Yehudi Menuhin, but his own performing career as violinist and conductor was cut short by illness, and he was largely forgotten after his death. However, other works have been rediscovered in recent years. His Octet, Op.7, that opens this disc, is for four violins, two violas and two cellos, here with string orchestra as sanctioned by the composer and adapted by John Wilson among others.

Eugéne Ysaÿe (1858-1931) was a virtuoso violinist, composer and conductor, referred to as "The King of the Violin". Enescu was impressed by the Belgian's passionate playing and imposing stature. His 15-minute Harmonies du Soir (Harmonies of the Evening) for String Quartet (two violins, viola, cello) and String Orchestra is featured next.

Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969) was a Polish-Lithuanian composer and violinist. Her Concerto for String Orchestra was written in 1948 and completes the album, which is a follow-up to two earlier highly lauded Wilson/SoL Music for Strings releases, from 2021 and 2023, featuring tuneful English music.

Those of us who knew JW as a young man attending RFS meetings have been his admirers for years, and especially since its resurrection in 2020 with a succession of outstanding recordings from his own hand-picked Sinfonia of London; this time led by Charlie Lovell-Jones or John Mills.

Your reviewer is a sucker for strings and on early hearings has been impressed by the music's sound rather more than for its composition, but this could change with repeated listening. Mervyn Cooke's readable liner notes describe the concerto as "magnificent". No doubt Wilson completists will want this album. Others should sample it on the excellent Chandos website before committing themselves to purchase. Incidentally, this company is now under Naxos's wing.

© Peter Burt, April 2024

According to recent reports, Klaus Heymann, the owner of Naxos, personally acquired Chandos Records in March 2024. He has stated that the company will retain its independence under the management of Ralph Couzens, son of Brian Couzens. who established the company in 1979.

The given reason for Heymann’s involvement is to ensure the long-term stability of Chandos.

It is also worthy of note that another prominent British independent record company, Hyperion, which was founded in 1980 by Edward Perry, and is currently managed by his son Simon, passed into new ownership in February 2023 when it was purchased by Universal Group, owners – inter alia – of the Decca and Deutsche Grammophon record labels.

Tony Clayden