Bantock: Thalaba the Destroyer & other orchestral works

Hyperion's mini-series of Granville Bantock's orchestral music has won innumerable plaudits from press and public alike since the 'Hebridean' and 'Celtic' symphonies appeared on CDA66450 in 1991. This fifth CD will add weight to the growing feeling that the rich and romantic music of this composer should be heard more often than it is. All six of the pieces on this disc are first recordings. The major work is 'Thalaba the Destroyer', based on a poem by Victorian Poet Laureate, Robert Southey. This is the work's first performance since 1901—and only its fourth performance ever.

As before, all six works are dashingly conducted by Vernon Handley and resplendently recorded by Tony Faulkner.

All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set Bantock: Orchestral Music: ‘What an achievement! Bantock's lavish romanticism is superbly served by both artists and recording team. Discovery after discovery’ (MusicWeb International).

CDA67250  75 minutes 39 seconds
10 DE RÉPERTOIRE (FRANCE)
‘Another exemplary addition to Handley's absorbing Bantock series … hearty thanks to all involved in this enterprising labour of love’ (Gramophone)
‘The heady soundscapes and chromatic opulence all make for a good wallow … gorgeous from start to finish’ (The Guardian)
‘His orchestration is fabulously colourful, his melodies strong and memorable, and his sense of drama would make Hollywood composers envious … Caristiona is hauntingly beautiful, Omar Khayyam is ...