If what you're looking for is a single disc to convince you that the music of Bax is not all bombast, ballyhoo, and balderdash, try this one. With Bax's early tone poem Tintagel, coupled with his Seventh and last symphony, this disc has the best of both Bax's worlds. And in these muscular and direct but deeply affectionate interpretations of
David Lloyd-Jones and the powerful and bright but richly burnished playing of the
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bax's music gets performances as committed and convincing as have ever been recorded. Naxos' digital sound is crisp and clean but still evocative of time and place. If you like this disc, you should consider listening to the classic Tintagel by John Barbirolli and perhaps the complete symphonies by
Bryden Thomson or
Vernon Handley. But if you're looking for a single disc of Bax to blow you away, this is the one.