Holst Choral Symphony from Chandos

[chill319]

I, too, got to know the Choral Symphony through Boult's recording on EMI. Holst uses quartal harmonies more than a little in this work, giving the associated patches a somewhat un-goal-oriented harmonic sound. Meditative rather than exciting. Perhaps that has contributed to the work's spotty performance history. On the other hand, the end of the first movement, to name just one place, is pretty darned exciting in my book.

I've long admired David Atherton. And Holst. Andrew Davis less. Yet Davis has certainly been doing yeoman work on behalf of early 20th-century British music. Perhaps one just has to listen for his particular "groove" and ride it with him. What think ye, good sirs, of his York Bowen symphonies?

[jimfin]

I liked his Bowen symphonies a lot, especially the second. I think he gave it a real sweep. Mind, I've only got Douglas Bostock to compare it to, and he never tends to get my heart racing.

[chill319]

Thanks, jimfin. I'll order the Chandos. Listening to the Boult performance a few times over the past two days has reminded me of how easy it was to scratch vinyl back in the day.