George Lloyd String Concertos: Stripped-down Masterworks

It looks like George Lloyd's star is set to rise once again. Lloyd had a promising career before the Second World War. But he was traumatized in battle and came home barely able to function. He quietly recuperated out of the limelight.

Lloyd's music returned to the concert stage in the early 1970s. Audiences in Britain, and then other countries quickly rediscovered and embraced it. 

Lloyd had composed constantly throughout his long recovery. He wasn't driven by commissions. He simply wrote music for himself. 

He managed to remain unaffected by the various trends of the mid-twentieth century. Lloyd's language remained tonal, if not entirely traditional.

His concertos use stripped-down ensembles, evening the balance somewhat. Lloyd wrote, "I don't really like the relationship between the violin and the big, modern orchestra... I hate to hear that poor little fiddle being totally swamped!" 

Cristina Anghelescu performns the two violin concertos. Her instrument has a warm, rich tone. The first concerto from 1970 is sweet and sentimental. Anghlelescu delivers with ravishing lyricism. 

The second concerto was written in 1977. This is more somber work. Anghelescu's performance is nuanced. She delivers the emotional content of the work with subtle intensity. 

The CD booklet describes Lloyd's Cello Concerto as "autumnal." Lloyd completed the work in 1997, the year before his death at age 85. It's a summation of a life spent in music. Cellist Anthony Ross captures the inherent melancholy of the work. His cello seems to emanate a sumptuous yearning tone.

It's hard to believe these works were so long neglected, but they were. Violin Concerto No. 1 was first performed when it was recorded in 1998 -- 28 years after its composition. Violin Concerto No. 2 premiered nine years after its completion. His Cello concerto only took three years to bring to performance. 

Lyrita announced they will be reissuing all the George Lloyd Albany Records releases. I'm glad to hear it. That's a substantial catalog of albums. Albany was how I first discovered the music of this remarkable composer. I'm excited to know that others will now have that opportunity.   

George Lloyd: The Violin and Cello Concertos
Cristina Anghelescu violin
Philharmonia Orchestra; David Parry, conductor
Anthony Ross, cello
Albany Symphony Orchestra; David Alan Miller, conductor
Lyrita SRCD.2422
2 CD set