Frederick Delius
Paris – The Song of a Great City
London Symphony Orchestra/Anthony Collins
Decca
B-
My, my, Delius, you sure know how to play the long game. “Paris – The Song of a Great City” is like the musical equivalent of a marathon runner, steady-paced with a few bursts of energy here and there. Sure, the London Symphony Orchestra gives it their all, like jockeys whipping their horses towards the finish line. But the question remains, do we spectators want to stick around till the end?
Delius, the indie rockstar of the classical music scene, has a way of making you feel like you’re floating on the Seine, or maybe that’s just the London Symphony Orchestra’s interpretation. It’s a little like eating too much brie – delicious at first, but eventually, you’re left feeling queasy. There’s something to be said for subtlety, Freddie. But hey, in the topsy-turvy world of classical music, maybe being the loudest voice in the room is a strategy. But remember, even the Eiffel Tower gets lost in the fog sometimes.
