Irish Rhapsody Nos 1 - 6 / Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 126 / Concert Variations upon an English Theme, Op. 71 'Down among the Dead Men'

'Splendidly played and recorded.'
The Penguin Guide

'With a distinguished array of soloists, committed playing from the Ulster Orchestra and richly sonorous sound, these discs will give much pleasure.'
BBC Music Magazine

"All lovers of late-romantic orchestral music of nationalist inspiration should get this, above all for the Rhapsodies"
MusicWeb

Vernon Handley is one of the great conductors of music of the British Isles, and his recordings of Stanford's music for Chandos received tremendous critical acclaim.

Stanford's six Irish Rhapsodies contain some of his most popular music. Despite what the 'rhapsody' part of the titles may suggest, each of these pieces is an immaculately crafted and tightly constructed orchestral movement, worthy of a place in his symphonies.

This sweeping and richly coloured music, written in the late romantic tradition, is instantly appealing.

Much of the music is only available in these recordings now in slim-line packaging at midprice for the first time.