Bliss Conducts Bliss

There have been several reissues of Arthur Bliss’s Violin Concerto and A Colour Symphony, conducted by the composer, over the years. On a personal note, I was introduced to both on the old Decca Eclipse label which had remarkable covers, usually depicting a National Trust property. These date from the early 1970s. The original recordings were made during November 1955, in monaural.

A Colour Symphony was Bliss’s first major orchestral work which was completed between 1921 and 1922 and was later revised in 1932. It was premiered at the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival on 7 September 1922, where it received mixed reviews.

Inspired by the symbolic meanings of colours in heraldry, the symphony consists of four movements: Purple, Red, Blue, and Green. Each embodies characteristics associated with its respective color, such as royalty and death for Purple, and courage and magic for Red. On the issue of the “colours” and their connection to the listener’s enjoyment of the symphony, I think that they can be safely ignored. Just enjoy it as a symphony with four contrasting movements that are “full of vitality and beauty.” Bliss and the LSO give an authoritative account. It holds the attention from the first note to the last.

One contemporary critic of the original LP (Decca, LXT 5170) was impressed by the “exhilarating performance” and considered that “the time is long overdue for this full-blooded music to take its proper place in the concert hall beside Elgar and Vaughan Williams.” His prophecy was never to be. The last time it was played at a Promenade Concert was in 2006.

To be sure there are other outstanding recordings of A Colour Symphony, such as Vernon Handley and the Ulster Orchestra, (Chan 8503, 1987), David Lloyd-Jones and the English Northern Philharmonic Orchestra (Naxos 8.533460, 1996) and most recently, Richard Hickox and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Chan 10380, 2006). But there is an inherent value in having Bliss’s own interpretation to hand.

Also in November 1955, Arthur Bliss recorded his Violin Concerto and the now largely forgotten Theme and Cadenza. This time the orchestra was the London Philharmonic with the violin soloist, the Italian-born, Alfredo Campoli. The LP was issued in April 1956 on Decca LXT 5166.

Bliss's Violin Concerto was written during 1938. It was completed at a time of considerable political tension in Europe. There are three movements: Allegro ma non troppo, Vivo – tranquillo and Introduzione (Andante); Allegro deciso (In Modo Zingaro). The overall mood of the piece is a studied contrast between lyrical beauty and dramatic passion, which seems to echo the age. It lasts for about forty minutes.

Campoli gives a splendid account of this concerto which gives him little opportunity for relaxation. He dominates the proceedings from the first to the last playing with refinement and proficiency. There is a warmth of tone that is often beguiling. The concerto was premiered in 1939 by the present soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Another recording of Bliss’s Violin Concerto, was made in 1968, once again featuring Campoli and the composer but with the BBC Symphony Orchestra (BBC Classics 15656 91842, 1996). I have not heard this album. Two other CDs of this concerto have been released: Lydia Mordkovitch with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Richard Hickox (Chan 10380, 2006) and Lorraine McAslan and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates (Dutton Epoch, CDLX 7342, 2017).

This work is a significant contribution to the genre. Coupled with Edward Elgar’s (1910) and William Walton’s (1939), Bliss’s essay forms the third pillar of the triumvirate of great Violin Concertos composed by an Englishman. Sadly, it is rarely heard in the concert hall. Its last outing at the Proms was on 3 August 1955.

The present remastering was produced by Andrew Rose, who took the original monoaural edits and “dusted them down a little, [to] bring greater space and finer tone to both recordings, further enhancing two excellent examples of Decca’s mid-fifties output.”

Andrew Rose also provided the liner notes, which, if I am honest, are a little bit lacking. Basically, it is a concatenation of two contemporary reviews from The Gramophone magazine, with a concluding comment.

This disc is worthy addition to the Bliss catalogue of two important works, performed under the baton of the composer. Enthusiasts will be delighted to possess this superb restoration.

Track Listing:
Arthur Bliss (1891-1975)
Concerto for violin and orchestra, F111 (1955)
Campoli (violin), London Philharmonic Orchestra/Arthur Bliss
A Colour Symphony, F.106 (1921-22, rev. 1932)
London Symphony Orchestra/Arthur Bliss
rec. 9-11 November 1955 (Concerto); 23-24 November 1955 (Colour Symphony), Kingsway Hall London (Monoaural)
Pristine Audio PASC 727

With thanks to MusicWeb International where this review was first published.