Dyson: Violin Concerto, etc - Mordkovitch • COLSO - Hickox

Concerto for violin & orchestra (1942)
Children's Suite after Walter de la Mare (1920)


Lydia Mordkovitch, violin
City of London Sinfonia - Richard Hickox, conductor




Label: Chandos, CHAN 9639
UPC: 095115936924
ASIN: B000000AWX
CD Release: June 20, 1995
Recording Type: DDD, Stereo, Studio
Recording Date: November 2 & 3, 1994
Venue: St. Jude's Church, London NW11
Running Time: 1 02' 22''



This is another release in Chandos's series of the music of George Dyson (1883-1964). Dyson was of Vaughan Williams's generation but seemed to have one foot in the 19th century. This is due to the fact that Charles Villiers Stanford, his teacher, emphasized strong melodies and themes. In Dyson's Violin Concerto (of 1942) the orchestra has unusually wide role; it's almost a symphony showcasing the violin. In fact, in the opening movement, the violin fairly sneaks up on the listener and remains throughout carefully framed by the orchestra. Dyson's Children's Suite after Walter de la Mare (of 1924) is here its first recording. Dyson's Violin Concerto can easily hold its own with any similar work in the standard repertoire. It is rapturous, loving and beautifully crafted. Complaints that Dyson lacks real substance and staying power are baffling. In fact, the concerto takes on greater depth with each listening. The sheer integrity, intelligence and depth of Dyson's art is represented here. He's a composer without artifice – one who simply and effectively conveys the sincerest expression of human yearning. In short, a Romantic lost in a world of Angst and bitterness. The Children's Suite is a delightful make-weight of such extraordinary skill and understated inspiration that some may completely miss its obvious charm. Performances from all on this disc are nothing short of world-class. The engineering is excellent. Give it a try and be surprised and how great this man's music is.



Concerto for violin & orchestra (1942)
      1. I   Molto moderato
      2. II  Vivace
      3. III Poco andante
      4. IV Allegro ma non troppo

Children's Suite after Walter de la Mare (1920)
      5. I   Leggiero
      6. II  Pastoral: Tranquillo
      7. III March: Alla marcia
      8. IV Whirligig: Di Ballo



For someone of my generation it is hard to imagine how the people of Britain must have felt during the depths of 1941. London and the great cities were smouldering ruins and the whole of Europe was under Hitler's Nazi domination. It must have seemed pretty bleak indeed and Dyson's Violin Concerto, which was composed at this time is remarkable for its gentle, heart easing tones as well as its musicality. The genre of Violin Concertos had seen a revival with British composers in the 1930's with Bax and Moeran, among others, penning substantial pieces in this form. Dyson's brooding orchestral opening is not apocalyptic but pensive. It is the mood of one who asks where their life is going rather than the Berg Violin Concerto's tale of heartache due to loss. The cadenza when it comes is sweet and caressing, like a breeze of a summer morning. Dyson uses a motiff from his 'Canterbury Pilgrims', 'Now let us ride' in the scherzo and sets a scene of a fast dance or reel, a folkish but not folksong derivation. The slow movement is the heart of the work, a gentle, kind melody which is given full decoration and examination by the soloist. The finale was called by one commentator 'thoughts on the sunny south' and is a dance-like movement which is full of good humour and high spirits. The work shares something of the optimism of Moeran's more reknowned Violin Concerto rather than Bax's more gritty offering and would be a welcome item on any concert program which needs a bit of 'jollying up' but with substance and not with a mere caprice.

The other item 'Children's Suite' is a four movement suite for full orchestra evoking a 1920's nursery atmosphere. The Manchester Guardian said at the time:' Dr Dyson's music does suggest something of the fireside and candlelight atmosphere, the spirit of nursery rhymes, fairy tales, drollery and fantasy…' This charming music is sensitivity itself and will appeal to all lovers of a nostalgic, naive style that composers like Ravel and Elgar attempted in some of their great works. It was good that Chandos provided us with this second work on this CD, unlike the Dyson Symphony disc. Thus they give us over a hour of this unbelievably neglected composer. This might sound a little trite but we have so little of Dyson available, every minute they give us is to be treasured! The two awards the CD won will doubtless make more people listen to this beautiful music and who knows, perhaps the BBC and Classic FM might start playing them.