Hanson: Symphony No. 1, 'Nordic' - The Lament for Beowulf - CD

ENGLISH

<p>Howard Hanson, a composer of imagination and sweep and a colorist of huge eloquence, is one of the most approachable of all twentieth century symphonists. His guiding spirit was always Sibelius, and in the <i>Symphony</i> <i>No. 1 &lsquo;Nordic' </i>he used the same key as in the Finnish composer's own <i>First</i> <i>Symphony</i>. The work is haunting, rapturous and serene, beautifully orchestrated and wholly commanding. <i>The Lament for Beowulf</i>, written for chorus and orchestra, dates from 1925. Its dark, brooding tension reflects its poetic inspiration with indelible force. "This is confident, generous, beautifully made music, richly (and sensitively) scored. Schwarz, and his splendid Seattle orchestra do not short-change us on any of this and they are beautifully, ripely, recorded here." (<i>Gramophone</i> on the original Delos release)</p>