Composer: Arnold Bax
Works: Symphony No. 4, Nympholept, Overture to a Picaresque Comedy
Performers: Royal Scottish National Orchestra, David Lloyd-Jones
Recording: Recorded 24-25 August 2000, Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, Scotland
Label: NAXOS 8.555343
Arnold Bax, a towering figure in British music, occupies a unique position within the pantheon of early 20th-century composers, seamlessly weaving a rich tapestry of impressionistic textures and Celtic influences. His Symphony No. 4, composed in 1931, reflects both a mastery of orchestral color and an evolving musical language that distinguishes him from his contemporaries. This Naxos recording, featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the baton of David Lloyd-Jones, offers an engaging exploration of Bax’s intricate sound world, alongside his evocative shorter works, “Nympholept” and the “Overture to a Picaresque Comedy.”
The “Overture to a Picaresque Comedy” presents itself with a Strauss-like flamboyance, the RSNO relishing its effervescent energy. The interpretation here is vibrant, with Lloyd-Jones emphasizing the work’s playful exuberance while maintaining a tight structural coherence. The orchestra’s woodwinds exhibit a delightful agility, particularly in the quicker passages, where their agility mirrors the bustling spirit of Bax’s intent. While it may not represent Bax’s most profound work, the overture showcases his ability to craft a narrative through music, drawing on influences from the likes of Strauss and Dukas. The sound quality of this recording is commendable; the spaciousness of Henry Wood Hall allows for the brass and percussion to resonate with clarity, capturing the brassy éclat and rhythmic vitality that characterizes this piece.
“Nympholept,” a lesser-known gem from Bax’s oeuvre, evokes a sylvan landscape rich in imagery and atmosphere. The performance reveals the subtleties of this woodland ballet, with the RSNO navigating its delicate textures and dreamlike transitions with finesse. Lloyd-Jones takes a nuanced approach, allowing the music to breathe, particularly in the lush, lyrical passages. Here, the strings paint a shimmering backdrop, while the woodwinds dart in and out like nymphs flitting through a sun-dappled glade. The engineering captures the intricate interplay of timbres, with the woodwinds’ ethereal quality emerging beautifully against the warm string ensemble. Comparatively, Bryden Thomson’s earlier recording tends to favor a denser texture that can obscure these delicate details. The current interpretation, by contrast, allows for a more transparent and airy sound, which aligns well with the work’s bucolic theme.
Bax’s Symphony No. 4 stands as a pivotal work in his symphonic catalog, bridging the earlier, more austere episodes of his symphonic writing with the lush lyricism and expansive gestures of his later works. This recording presents a compelling vision of the symphony, marked by its expansive lyrical lines and the adventurous spirit of its thematic development. Lloyd-Jones adopts a broad interpretative stance, particularly in the expansive lento moderato, which unfolds with a serene, almost rhapsodic quality. The brass section shines here, particularly in the climactic moments where the eight horns create a rich tapestry of sound. The finale, though shorter than its predecessors, is executed with elegant momentum, the interplay between harp and flute at 7:34 revealing a poignant delicacy that resonates long after the last note fades.
Each movement’s character is distinct, yet they cohesively contribute to a larger symphonic narrative. While comparisons with Bryden Thomson’s interpretation on Chandos highlight differences in pacing and orchestral urgency, Lloyd-Jones’s approach ultimately provides a satisfying balance of introspection and orchestral bravado.
This recording not only showcases Bax’s colorful orchestration and rich melodic lines but also illuminates the interpretative depth that the RSNO brings under Lloyd-Jones’s baton. It stands as a significant addition to the existing discography of Bax’s work, particularly for those seeking to delve deeper into the intricacies of his symphonic journey. The engineering and orchestral execution bring forth a compelling listening experience that beautifully captures the essence of Bax’s unique voice within the British musical landscape.
