Dyson: Nebuchadnezzar/ Woodland Suite/Three Songs of Praise Choir Orchestral & Concertos Chandos

Select your download format

16Bit-FLAC/ALAC

24 Bit / 96K

SIR GEORGE DYSON

(1883-1964)

premiere recording

Nebuchadnezzar

47:48

Crotchet=54. 'Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold' -

12:28

Crotchet=about 60. The Herald. 'To you it is commanded' -

Chorus: 'Therefore at that time…'

Rhythmic, but not too fast. Chorus 'Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near' -

10:58

Slow. Chorus: 'Then Nebuchadezzar in his rage and fury…'-

Expressive. Nebuchadnezzar: 'Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego' -

Calm. Chorus: 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter'

III

Restless. Chorus: 'Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury' -

10:58

Slow - Faster. Chorus: 'Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent' -

Vigorous. Chorus: 'And the king's servants, that put them in' -

Very broadly. Chorus: 'But the anger of the Lord came down…' -

Serene, but not too slow. Chorus: 'Blessed art thou, O Lord' -

Largamente - Quick. Chorus: 'Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied' -

Slower. Nebuchadnezzar: '…and they have no hurt' -

Very subdued. Chorus: 'Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth…' -

Solemn. Nebuchadnezzar: 'Blessed be the God who hath sent his angel' -

Deliberate. Nebuchadnezzar: 'Therefore I make a decree' -

Quiet and devotional. Solo Bass: 'O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord' -

6:44

In strict time. Chorus: 'O let the earth bless the Lord' -

Broad and sustained. Chorus: 'O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord'

Choral: BBC Symphony Chorus

premiere recording

Woodland Suite

7:22

for strings and wind

(flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon ad libitum)

At Evening Bell. Tranquillo

2:23

Silken Sails. Allegretto

1:19

Moon-Fairy. Andante

2:08

Elfin Market. Allegro

1:31

O Praise God in His Holiness (Psalm 150)

2:12

for chorus and orchestra

Vigorous - Firmly - Very broadly - Molto sostenuto

Choral: BBC Symphony Chorus

premiere recording of orchestral version

Three Songs of Praise

9:54

for accompanied chorus

(string orchestra, with two timpani, two trumpets and three trombones ad libitum)

10.

Praise. Vigorous

2:00

11.

Lauds. Calm and sustained

4:27

12.

A Poet's Hymn. Broadly

3:27

13.

Confortare (Be Strong and of a good courage)

1:37

for chorus and orchestra

Maestoso - Allargando al fine

Choral: BBC Symphony Chorus

68:57

Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Richard Hickox

18 and 19 November 2006

This is the first recording, and Dyson is lucky because it is outstanding. There are no comparisons to make, but can you imagine abetter tenor than Mark Padmore or a better bass than Neal Davies for this music? Do you know a chorus that would sing it better than the BBC Chorus? Is there a conductor who could make it more gripping than Mr Hickox does? No, it is quite wonderful… The Chandos sound is superb.

American Record Guide

It’s beautifully played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Richard Hickox, and the choral singing is particularly thrilling. The disc also includes a number of Dyson’s shorter pieces, most of them fairly slight, though the Three Songs of Praise – setting of English metaphysical poetry – are exquisite

The Guardian

Enthusiasts for this composer need not hesitate – performances and recordings are first-rate.

International Record Review

Hickox’s reading is direct and dramatic, though he also indulges the more impressionistic moods at the piece’s heart, while the BBC Symphony Chorus provides wholesome body to the narrative. Two coronation anthems, a triptych of hymns and a pastoral suite for chamber orchestra complete this worthwhile disc.

Telegraph

Dyson's Nebuchadnezzar will surprise you - it's in the oratorio tradition of Parry but has the same choral and orchestral zing as Walton's Belshazzar's Feast. Richard Hickox clearly loved Dyson's music. He draws every last ounce of drama and colour from it, and in the minor works which make up this CD the care he lavishes on them is palpable. I really enjoyed this disc, it is definitive English music performed to the highest standard.

H Simmonds

My Wish List