Delius: Appalachia - complete.

Frederick Delius - 1862-1934 - An English composer. Born in the north of England to a prosperous mercantile family, he resisted attempts to recruit him to commerce. He was sent to Florida in the United States in 1884 to manage an orange plantation. There he soon neglected his managerial duties, and in 1886 returned to Europe. Having been influenced by African-American music during his short stay in Florida, he began composing. After a brief period of formal musical study in Germany beginning in 1886, he embarked on a full-time career as a composer in Paris and then in nearby Grez-sur-Loing, where he and his wife Jelka lived for the rest of their lives, except during the First World War. In his later years Delius became blind and severely disabled, unable to complete his life's work. In 1928 a music teacher and fellow Yorkshireman from Scarborough offered his services as an amanuensis to the blind and paralyzed composer. This was to allow a radiant Indian Summer in the final years at Grez.. Composing continued with the aid of Eric Fenby taking down the notes, offering his complete devotion to Delius. Fenby also enabled the completing, reshaping and promoting of so much of Delius' previous work. The story has been beautifully told in Ken Russell's iconic film 'A Song of Summer' available on this channel Appalachia (composed 1902) was the second work to be given this title by Delius, following an 1896 work for orchestra subtitled ‘American Rhapsody’. This later, much more expansive work for large orchestra, baritone soloist, and chorus shares some melodic material with the earlier rhapsody. Both works were inspired by Delius’s experiences living in Florida as a young man. 'Appalachia’ is the old Indian name for North America. The composition mirrors the moods of tropical nature in the great swamps bordering on the Mississippi River, which is so intimately associated with the life of the old negro slave population. Longing melancholy, an intense love of Nature, and an innate delight in singing and dancing are still their most characteristic qualities. The sounds of African American music also inspired a number of other works including his opera Koanga and the Florida Suite. On this video:- the full work with fitting images. Panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains and along the the St. John's River in Florida feature in this video. included are images from the area known well to Delius from nearer the time he was at the plantation Solano Grove 1884 - 1886. There are also vintage photos of the original North American Indians around St. John's region of Florida, and with iconic paddle, steam-driven river traffic. The video attempts to capture a little of the enduring Delius inspiration behind this highly creative but rather brief 'American Period' in the composer's life This video really celebrates Delius' great love of America, its scenery and all its people. This FULL version starts with aerial images of the Appalachian mountain range (the back-bone of North America) which are shown in their full glory. Then to Florida, with vintage images of Jacksonville and along the St John's River, where Delius heard the haunting sounds of music tinged with elements of blues harmony wafting across the 'mighty stream'. The steamers, then very much part of the scene ferrying travelers from Picolata to various landing stages, must have been very much part of the scene during Delius' time. All the magic of the mighty river and on its banks the lush vegetation Spanish Moss, Magnolia, Palm Orange and Cypress trees, all images combine in sequence and attempts to capture some of the atmosphere that so powerfully, emotionally and musically inspired Delius at that time. Album Info:- 'Delius Edition' - CD 2. Appalachia. Welsh National Opera, Chorus and Orchestra. Sir Charles Mackarras. Decca - 2012 Marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Apologies for any unintended infringement of copyright. In mitigation there is no element of profit or personal gain in the making of this video and any offence caused is totally unintentional.