This six-disc set gives you most of Tippett, aside from the operas, large choral works, and some late orchestral and chamber pieces. With the exception of Solti’s insensitive reading of the Fourth Symphony (which Tippett himself disliked) and the Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles (why does Universal keep ignoring Colin Davis’ benchmark recording of this latter work, never yet issued on CD?), these are all excellent recordings of the works in question. Paul Crossley was the composer’s interpreter of choice in the piano sonatas, and the Lindsays taped these fine performances of the first three string quartets before they decided that timbral beauty was inconsistent with interpretive truth.
Neville Marriner and his redoubtable Academy are their usual, reliable selves in the music for string orchestra (Concerto for Double String Orchestra; Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli; Little Music), and Davis’ versions of the first three symphonies, the Concerto for Orchestra, and the Triple Concerto have never been surpassed. Having Pritchard’s rendition of the Ritual Dances is a nice bonus, as is the Sonata for Four Horns as played by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Fine sonics throughout make this the essential Tippett collection, no doubt about it. [12/8/2005]
