Throughout his life Delius felt a strong affinity with Norway, spending summers there in the 1880s and forming an important friendship with Grieg. He later reminisced of spending Christmas Eve 1887 at the composer’s home in Bergen, where he played the original piano version of his Sleigh Ride—probably much to Grieg’s pleasure, because Delius’s portrayal in music of a lively sleigh ride which eventually comes to rest in the stillness of a northern winter’s night is clearly inspired by Grieg’s style without being a slavish copy. Delius—who was still a student at the Leipzig Conservatory—made the familiar orchestral version a year or two later, and, helped by the advocacy of Sir Thomas Beecham, the piece has remained deservedly popular.

from notes by Collegium Records © 2008