"Trees" has many beauties and a pastoralist dimension to it, I suppose, - but on the whole I find it more chilling, haunted, and relentless, than simply "gorgeous".
Have you heard Hadley's other major work "The Hills", Kyjo (reissued on CD by EMI)? I haven't, but wonder how it compares in quality (and qualities) to "Trees".
Aha! Someone did mention it! I bought
The Hills recently. I loved it! Having said that,it's a tad more conventional than 'The Trees so High',which is the one that really stays in your mind afterwards! No need for it to languish in the shadows,though. Judged on it's own merits it's a fine piece and more upbeat in mood than 'The Trees'. Indeed,lovers of Delius in 'mountain mode' might enjoy this one! I think I'll have another listen later! The performance,I should add,is very good. To think emi recorded stuff like this..... once upon a time!! :o ;D
John France has a long and very enthusiastic article about it on Musicweb which some members will no doubt have read already ;D :
http://www.musicweb-international.com/hadley/hills.htm