Customer Reviews

William Alwyn: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5; Lyra Angelica (Harp Concerto)

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I hope that William Alwyn will become a better known because of the Naxos series of symphonies. The Lyra Agelica is an outright masterpiece, ispired by the seventeenth century meatphysical poets. Their rhapsodic style is mirrored in what is a concerto for harp and string orchestra with a wonderful performance by Suzanne Willson on harp. The fifth symphony subtitled Hydrotapia or Urn burial is dedicated do Thomas Browne who wrote an essay by that name.. The symphony was written many decades after his four symphony cycle. It is a short symphony in one movement that is a a meditation upon death.
The second symphony was Alwyn's favorite according to the liner notes which provide a great introduction to Alwyn and his music,
I had purchased hickox's complete Alwyn before I realized that Naxos was plannin to release their series. I have come to learn over the years that Naxos assembles a fine orchestra and in the Royal Liverpool phil. conducted by lloyd Joness they have equalled and exceeded those of Hickox. I find the Lrra even better.
Please excuse typos I have a neurologic disease.

This CD has two very nice symphonies, and then the harp concerto. Both symphonies are elegant, nice to listen to, interesting, fun... In other words, everything a symphony ought to be. They're very enjoyable to listen to.

Then again, the gem of this CD is the "Lyra Angelica", the harp concerto. I don't know how many harp concertos most people have heard, but this is simply breathtaking. It's so incredibly beautiful, but it's also plain nice. While I was worried that this would be TOO pretty and then not substantial enough, I turned out to be very wrong. It's beautiful, YES, but it's also amazing and wonderful to listen to. It's not only a sweet little harp plucking so that you fall asleep. It's just like any other concerto, but instead of a violin or piano, you've got one of the loveliest instruments in the world: the harp.

I definitely recommend this. I'd never heard much of Alwyn's work before this, but now I'm interested. The two symphonies are great listens, even if they're far behind the beautiful harp concerto.

Buy this disc! At this price, for this music, it's a wonderful deal!

I am a fan of the music of 20th Century British composers. I cannot comment on the quality of the recording, because this is the only version of this music, which I have heard. I can only comment on the music itself. Lyra Angelica is a beautiful concerto for harp and string orchestra. The music just flows continuously between the harp and other strings. There are some beautiful melodies, especially in the 3rd of the four movements. The 2nd Symphony opens dramatically, and the symphony continuously alternates between calm and energetic passages. There are two movements, with the second movement having more energetic and tumultuous passages than the first movement. The orchestration is brilliant. The 5th Symphony is Alwyn:s last one, and is not part of the cycle of his 1st thru 4th Symphonies. The 5th stands alone as a one movement tribute to life. The symphony opens dramatically, then continuously fluctuates between calm and energetic passages, just like the ebbs and flows of life. There is the use of tubular bells, which brings on a sense of serenity. The symphony ends quietly and peacefully, just as we hope life's journey will end.

I highly recommend these Alwyn selections..they are lyrical and calming, an oasis of peaceful melody. Highly recommended for fans of Hohvanness, Delius, or Vaughn Williams.

you get lost in the sounds of the beautiful music, when you are alone it helps
clear the mind and soul..

This Spring I have decided to pay closer attention to the music of
William Alwyn and was I in for a surprise. For many years I listen to
the music of William Alwyn on the radio, but never really owned a Cd
of his music. Early this Spring I decided to collect all of his five
symphonies on the Naxos label, and his music is great. Unlike many of
his compatriots, Mr. Alwyn in many ways a "late romantic" composer, in
the same way that Samuel Barber was in the U.S., in his own personal style. "Lyra Angelica" is a harp concerto full of peaceful and tranquil melodies, harpist Suzanne Willison is well ready for the task. The symphony #5 "Hydriotaphia" composed in the early '70s and is his last symphony. The fifth symphony is loud and exuberant in sound, close to the spirit of Walton. On the other hand the second is a more quiet and peaceful work. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic does the honor in this
recording under the baton of David Lloyd-Jones. Indeed a Wonderful recording of great music