Bliss conducts Bliss - 2

ARTHUR BLISS (1891-1975): A Colour Symphony, Introduction and Allegro (London Symphony Orchestra. publ. 1956), Music for Strings (Philharmonia Orchestra. publ. 1955).

Description: A warm welcome back for these splendid 1950s (Decca and EMI, mono) recordings of Bliss as his own most persuasive advocate in three of the most appealing works of his early maturity. The boldly, nobly romantic Colour Symphony sounds very Elgarian 90 years later; undoubtedly some European influences channeled via Vaughan Williams and a nod to Stravinsky led to it being thought of as very modern in 1922. The incisive, substantial three-movement Music for Strings (1935), a harder-edged first cousin to Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, and Bliss' own similarly titled work, a combination of English pageantry and pastoral in most attractive orchestral garb, round out a very attractive composer portrait.