Benjamin - Concerto Quasi Una Fantasia

Arthur Benjamin

Australian composer Arthur Benjamin recorded his Concerto Quasi Una Fantasia with American pianist Lamar Crowson in 1959 for Everest, a year before his death. Although mostly widely known for his popular Jamaican Rumba of 1938, Benjamin composed in all genres, including film music, and was active as a teacher (at the Royal College of Music, and Reed College, Portland, Oregon) and pianist. He played the first performance of Constant Lambert's Concerto for Piano and 9 Players, which I posted a short while ago.

While in Oregon Benjamin met Lamar Crowson, who he invited to study with him at the RCM, and eleven  years later the two joined forces in this recording. Benjamin had .been commissioned to write the Concerto by the Australian Broadcasting Commission and he was soloist in eight performances of it in 1950 in Sydney and Melbourne with Sir Eugene Goossens conducting.

Click on the sleeve note scan below for information on the music, and here for a very interesting appraisal of Arthur Benjamin's life.

Cartridge: Ortofon Synergy GM SPU MC

Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC

Turntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R

Click to enlarge