Stephen Pritchard 

Alwyn: Concerti Grossi Nos 2 & 3; Seven Irish Tunes etc – review

William Alwyn, master of the film score, excelled himself in his Concerto Grosso No 3, as the RLPO demonstrates here, writes Stephen Pritchard
  
  


No one would pretend that most of William Alwyn's music is anything other than light, but it is beautifully crafted and instantly engaging – an accessibility that earned him a rare fellowship of the British Film Academy for myriad cinema scores. The Seven Irish Tunes display his complete mastery of orchestration here but feel dated and clichéd, and while the 1948 Concerto Grosso No 2 dances along in its tuneful and wistful affability it is No 3, written 18 years later, that is the highlight of this collection, so much more arresting in its dark and impassioned patina and splendidly played by the RLPO.

 

Leave a Comment

Required fields are marked *

*

*