06. - 09. Frank Bridge - Suite 'The Sea' [21'38]
10. Arnold Bax (orch. Graham Parlett) - On the Sea-Shore [7'29]
Ulster Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley
Chandos CHAN8473 (recorded March 1986; CD issued 1986)
(flac and scans)
Recording venue: Ulster Hall, Belfast
Recording engineer: Ralph Couzens; Producer: Brian Couzens
Here is a multi-faceted portrayal of the sea under the direction of that master of British music, Vernon Handley. I know of no other recording of the Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia that excels this performance in terms of interpretation, playing and recorded sound. Handley's Storm is almost as terrifying as Eduard van Beinum's mono recording. The Ulster Orchestra play their hearts out for Handley.
Britten's teacher, Frank Bridge's Suite The Sea is a masterly representation of the sea in all of its moods and whilst I am not normally a great fan of Bax's music, he seems to be at his best in sea-related compositions and the rarely-played On the Sea Shore is no exception.
I am also usually no fan of Chandos' big, blowsy house sound, but the acoustic of the Ulster Hall seems to suit them perfectly and there is no lack of detail in the excellent recorded sound here.