“This reissue from several Unicorn [LPs] is very welcome not least for Measham’s wonderful reading of the First Symphony, which deservedly won 3 stars in the Penguin Guide. It reminds us how well Measham empathised with Barber’s music. Night Flight, the slow movement of the Second Symphony, uncannily captures the inky-black sky and atmosphere of anxiety. … Essay No. 2 is another exciting and atmospheric piece… hard-edged material full of conflict of war contrasted with more tender and pastoral music. … Scenes from Shelley is another impressive work that deserves to be better known. Knoxville is a hauntingly lovely, wistful evocation, of a lazy summer evening in a small American town”
– MusicWeb International
Alto Records is pleased to return to international availability these acclaimed, hard-to-find recordings of symphonic music by Samuel Barber, including Knoxville: Summer of 1917 as sung by Molly McGurk, originally released on British indie label Unicorn-Kanchana.
