Born in England, of German parents, Frederick Delius (1862-1934) traveled throughout his life to America, Scandinavia, Germany, France and Italy. Although ranked as one of the leading English composers, he was inspired by the foreign landscapes he visited.
Discovering Delius looks at the early life and work of the young cosmopolitan composer. Several champions of Delius' music - conductor Charles Mackerras, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, violinist Tasmin Little, baritone Thomas Hampson and the Brindisi Quartet - are seen rehearsing, performing and discussing his work.
The music chosen focuses on the landmarks of Delius's creativity and reveals every aspect of his compositional style and includes extracts from the film of A Village Romeo and Juliet, featuring Thomas Hampson; A Mass of Life from the 1992 Brighton Festival; Sir Charles Mackerras and the Welsh National Opera rehearsing and performing The Song of the High Hills and movements from the Florida Suite.
Tasmin Little discusses, rehearses and performs the Concerto for Violin and Piano; the Sonata for Cello and Piano is performed by Julian Lloyd Webber; and the Brindisi Quartet rehearses and performs Late Swallows from the String Quartet.