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EMR CD021 features a choral work by one of the giants of British music, recorded here for the first time over a century after its composition. The Mass in G by Charles Villiers Stanford was completed in 1892 and is notable for its opulence, employing a full orchestra and vocal soloists as well as chorus; and its colourful, characterful setting of the liturgical text shows Stanford at the height of his powers – a master of structure, form and musical architecture.
The Mass in G is complemented on this disc with works by another highly significant musical figure, C. Hubert H. Parry. His ‘Songs of Farewell’ are gems of choral writing, their intricately shaped lines and finely crafted textures pointing with a profound poignancy the meaning of their texts; the hymn ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’ and, especially, the unison song ‘Jerusalem’ are familiar and well-loved settings; whilst the processional ‘I was glad’, written for the coronation of Edward VII and performed at every coronation since, has a verve and splendour that epitomise the grandeur of ceremony.
Stanford and Parry may be said to represent the beginning of the English choral tradition and this new disc acknowledges their lasting influence in a work by a contemporary composer, Paul Edwards.
Paul Edwards (b.1955) | |||
1. | ‘I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES’ (2013) (World Première recording) |
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Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924) MASS IN G MAJOR FOR SOLI, CHORUS, ORCHESTRA AND ORGAN, op.46 (1892) (World Première recording) |
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2. | Kyrie |
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3. | Gloria |
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4. | Credo |
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5. | Sanctus |
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6. | Benedictus |
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7. | Agnus Dei |
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Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848–1918) |
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8. | ‘JERUSALEM’ (1916) |
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9. | ‘DEAR LORD AND FATHER OF MANKIND’ (1888) |
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10. | ‘I WAS GLAD’ (1911 version) |
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‘SONGS OF FAREWELL’ (1913–1916) | |||
11. | ‘My soul, there is a country’ |
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12. | ‘I know my soul hath power to know all things’ |
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13. | ‘Never weather-beaten sail’ |
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14. | ‘There is an old belief’ |
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15. | ‘At the round earth’s imagin’d corners’ |
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16. | ‘Lord, let me know mine end’ |
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EMR CD028 | INTERNATIONAL
RECORD REVIEW