Delius delights us this year, the 150th anniversary of his birth. A Mass of Life (more a secular oratorio) blends passages from Nietzsche's Also Sprach Zarathustra into striking and beautiful textures with the choir, four excellent soloists and the BSO capably conducted by David Hill. This lengthy work in two parts has to spill over on to the second disc.
Baritone Alan Opie impresses and all sopranos must soar towards the heavens. It is a Delius magnum opus rarely performed or recorded.
German text is translated in the booklet. CD 2 is nicely completed with Prelude and Idyll, a 20-minute item constructed in the composer's final years from a discarded opera.
Highlight: Great gusto in first part of the gigantic Mass.
In 2010, Avital was the first mandolinist to receive a Grammy nomination for "best instrumental soloist". The Israeli musician champions his stringed instrument and is a lover of J.S. Bach. So it is no wonder he has made his own mandolin transcriptions of three concertos (BWV1052, BWV1056, and BWV1041) and Sonata in E minor BWV1034 to play on this album.
The orchestral accompaniment does not overpower the mandolin in the concertos, but the sonata with theorbo and cello sounds more comfortable. The soloist is a sensitive virtuoso who feels "the emotion of Bach's music goes far beyond any instrument" and his artistic interpretations on a different instrument from usual harpsichord or violin give a fresh viewpoint to timeless works.
Highlight: A minor (violin) concerto BWV 1041 sparkles.
