Davie: Orchestral Works Vol. 1

Cedric Thorpe Davie was one of the defining figures of British, and particularly Scottish, musical life in the mid-20th century. As a composer, he reached a wide audience through numerous film scores, while his orchestral works composed for the concert hall are largely unknown today. His musical language combines influences from Jean Sibelius and Ralph Vaughan Williams—both of whom he knew personally—with an unmistakably Scottish character.

The first installment of the series featuring Thorpe’s orchestral music presents five works in premiere recordings: the Symphony in C major, the "Festal Overture," the "Diversions on a Tune by Dr. Arne," the "Solemn Music from the music to Shakespeare's King Lear," and the "Fantasia No. 1 on Four Scottish Tunes." The St Andrews Chamber Orchestra performs under the direction of Bede Williams.