As Sir Charles Mackerras writes in the booklet notes, the idea of transforming ‘the eminently danceable tunes’ of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas into a ballet score occurred to him while he was playing in the orchestra for a Gilbert and Sullivan season in Australia. Pineapple Poll was first performed, with immediate success, in March 1951 at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Sullivan was of partly Irish descent and his Symphony in E (later known as the ‘Irish’) originated during a holiday in Northern Ireland when he was 21. Although Mendelssohn and Schubert are obvious influences, the freshness of Sullivan’s melodic gifts, as well as his technical fluency, are abundantly evident.

Arthur Sullivan

Pineapple Poll (arr. C. Mackerras)

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Lloyd-Jones, David, Conductor


Scene I: Opening Dance 00:03:34
Scene I: Poll's Solo - Pas de Deux 00:03:32
Scene I: Captain Belaye's Solo 00:03:06
Scene I: Pas de Trois 00:02:58
Scene I: Finale 00:03:47
Scene II: Poll's Solo 00:03:24
Scene II: Jasper's Solo 00:03:03
Scene III: Belaye's Solo - Sailor's Drill 00:03:26
Scene III: Poll's Solo 00:03:39
Scene III: Entry of Belaye with Blanche as Bride 00:03:40
Scene III: Reconciliation 00:03:06
Scene III: Grand Finale 00:05:57
Symphony in E major, "Irish"

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Lloyd-Jones, David, Conductor


I. Andante - Allegro, ma non troppo vivace 00:12:54
II. Andante espressivo 00:07:25
III. Allegretto - Moderato - Tempo I 00:06:18
IV. Allegro vivace e con brio 00:08:36



Total Playing Time: 01:18:25