Robert Gerle performs concertos of Delius and Barber

A while back I offered up some playing by the fine Hungarian-American violinist Robert Gerle. On this Westminster stereo lp, Gerle is joined by forgotten American conductor Robert Zeller for an interesting coupling of the Delius and Barber violin concertos. The orchestra, probably totally unfamiliar with this music, is the ubiquitous Vienna State Opera Orchestra.

I admire the programming here however, I think a bit more care could have gone into the presentation. The Delius, for one, is very much a fringe repertoire piece and having it recorded by a Viennese orchestra, not comfortable with the style and lacking in rehearsal time, makes for a somewhat wooden traversal. I think Gerle acquits himself quite well but if he had had an English orchestra with a stronger podium hand, the vinyl production could have yielded more of a winner. In short, what we have here is a solid go at the Delius (much can be said for the Barber as well) but by no means is this definitive.

Alas, an interesting curiosity and my admiration for Westminster at having a go at it.

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Anthony Collins conducts Delius

Here's that Delius that I've promised to Buster. I've transferred from a London LP, one of those special "Coronation Releases" issued back in the early 50's; The cover art above is from the Decca issue. Buster's transfers of Delius are better then mine so be forewarned!

Anthony Collins had an interesting recording career. During a relatively short period of time, the late 40's through mid 50's, he was an extremely prolific recording artist. Among the highlights was his integral Sibelius symphony collection, one of the first, if not the first issued on vinyl. Sixten Ehrling recorded his set around the same time but I'm not sure which was released first.  Both are well interpreted though the Stockholm PO and LSO were hardly the finest bands of their day.

This is very well done Delius. It is totally unsentimental and rather brisk if one compares to the greatest of Delians, Thomas Beecham. The LSO plays well, if not reaching the heights that they scaled during the late 60's and early 70's. The presentation overall makes the best possible case for the enigmatic Delius.

Anthony Collins was a good, though hardly exceptional, conductor. His work is no-nonsense and devoid of mannerisms of any kind. Its a pity that his recorded legacy has largely disappeared but that it probably due to the fact that is predominantly recorded in monaural sound.

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