The Harmonious Echo - Songs by Sir Arthur Sullivan Vocal & Song Chandos

COMPACT DISC ONE

The Harmonious Echo

SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN

King Henry's Song (1877) *

2:23

('Youth will needs have dalliance')

with Chorus ad libitum

from incidental music to Henry VIII (1613)

by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) and John Fletcher (1579-1625)

Andante moderato

Recording sponsored by Martin Yates

The Lady of the Lake (1864) †

3:25

from Kenilworth, 'A Masque of the Days of Queen Elizabeth', Op.4

(or The Masque at Kenilworth) (1864)

Libretto by Henry Forthergill Chorley (1808-1872)

Allegro grazioso

I heard the nightingale (1863) ‡

2:59

Dedicated to his Friend Captain C.J. Ottley

Allegretto moderato

Over the roof (1864) †

3:04

from the opera The Sapphire Nacklace, or the False Heiress

Libretto by Henry Fothergill Chorley

Allegretto moderato

Recording sponsored by Michael Symes

Will He Come? (1865) §

4:05

Dedicated to The Lady Katherine Coke

Composed expressly for Madame Sainton Dolby

Moderato e tranquillo - Quasi Recitativo -

Tranquillo un poco più lento

Recording sponsored by Michael Tomlinson

Give (1867) †

4:56

Composed and affectionately dedicated to Mrs Helmore

Allegretto - Un poco più lento - Lento

Recording sponsored by John Thrower

in memory of Simon and Brenda Walton

Thous art weary (1874) §

5:00

Allegro vivace e agitato - Più lento -

Allegro Tempo I - Più lento - Allegro. Tempo I -

Stringendo il tempo - Più lento - Slower

The moon in silent brightness (1868) ‡

2:21

Serenade

Andante quasi Allegretto

Recording sponsored by Robin Gordon Powell

O fair dove! O fond dove! (1868) §

4:35

To Miss Rachel Scott Russell

Allegro moderato - Un poco più lento -

Tempo I - Un poco più lento - Tempo I - Andante

Recording sponsored by William Parry

10.

The snow lies white (1868) ‡

3:04

('It's O my love, my love!")

Dedicated to The Lady Edith Ferguson

Composed expressly for Mr Sims Reeves

Allegro moderato - Un poco meno mosso -

Animato - Un poco meno mosso - Tempo I

Recording sponsored by Clifton Coles

11.

Looking Back (1870) *

4:34

Composed expressly for and dedicated to Madame Trebelli

[ ] - Un poco più lento e con molta tenerezza - Très largement

Recording sponsored by Christopher O'Brien

12.

Looking Forward (1873) *

6:32

Sequel to Looking Back

Allegro moderato - Quasi Recitativo - A tempo Allegro -

Più tranquillo - Lento, con molto espressione

Recording sponsored by William Parry

Total time: 46:58

COMPACT DISC TWO

The Maiden's Story (1867) ‡

4:19

Composed and dedicated to Mrs Quintin Twiss

Allegro moderato - A tempo più lento - Più lento

Living Poems (1874) §

3:42

Dedicated to the Countess of Shrewsbury

Composed expressly for Miss Edith Wynne

Allegretto non troppo vivo - Un poco più lento

The Sailor's Grave (1872) †

4:57

Moderato - Maestoso

Recording sponsored by Jamie Findlay

Let me dream again (1875) §

4:57

Composed expressly for Madame Christine Nilsson

Andante espressivo - Un poco più lento -

[Tempo I] - Un poco più lento

Recording sponsored by Steven Skinner

Other Days (late 1890s) *

3:04

Allegretto - A tempo un poco lento - Tempo I

Recording sponsored by Doreen Harris

Little Maid of Arcadee (1871) §

2:54

from the operetta Thespis, or The Gods Grown Old

Libretto by Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911)

Allegretto moderato

Recording sponsored by Andrew Crowther

The Distant Shore (1874) §

4:32

Allegro comodo - Animato - Slower

Recording sponsored by Nicio Vega Jr

The love that loves me not (1875) ‡

3:07

Dedicated to Mrs D.B. Grant

Andante moderato ed espressivo

Recording sponsored by Valerie Bailey

A Shadow (1884) ‡

3:58

Composed expressly for Madame Patey

Andante - Più vivo - Lento come prima

10.

The Lost Chord (1877) §

4:15

Andante moderato - Grandioso

Recording sponsored by Elaine Richardson

11.

The Absent-Minded Beggar (1899)

5:44

with Chorus ad libitum

Allegro moderato ed energico. Tempo di Marcia - Tempo giusto

Recording sponsored by Rev. Peter S. Gale

Total time: 45:29

Solo: Mary Bevan soprano †

Solo: Kitty Whately mezzo-soprano §

Solo: Ben Johnson tenor ‡

Solo: Ashley Riches bass-baritone *

Solo: David Owen Norris piano

The four soloists assume the part of Chorus where indicated.

10 and 11 August (Kitty Wahtely, Ben Johnson, and Ashley Riches)

& 30 November (Mary Bevan) 2020

“…another beautifully chosen and stylishly performed double-disc set, guide by the affectionate and knowledgeable hand of its pianist, David Owen Norris… they [the songs] come across as fresh and vivid, in thoughtful, committed performances for four excellent young British singers. Norris’s accompaniments are tasteful in the best sense; poised but always alert to the song’s dramatic structure, and ready to bring out Sullivan’s flashes of tone-colour and drama …”

Richard Bratby – Gramophone magazine – July 2021

Performance **** Performance ****

“… there are certainly highlights here … ‘The Absent-Minded Beggar’ … in which all four singers join, led by Riches, who supplies exactly the common touch required. There are other impressive discoveries – ‘Thou are weary’, ‘The moon in silent brightness’, ‘Other days’ – while Whately’s visionary performance, ‘The Lost Chord’ registers as the masterpiece it is.”

George Hall – BBC Music magazine – August 2021

“… if you already enjoy what Sullivan can do well, you will meet some new friends in this set, and that includes its performers.”

Michael Greenhalgh – MusicWeb-International.com – 9 June 2021

“…Whately’s lovely account of his famous The Lost Chord is a highlight, but Bevan charms with her bright soprano …”

Hugh Canning – The Sunday Times – 30 May 2021

“…If you don't mind the occasional dose of sentimentality then there is lots to enjoy on this disc. Mary Bevan, Kitty Whately, Ben Johnson and Ashley Riches clearly had great fun performing the music beautifuly partnered by David Owen Norris and this comes over.” ****

Robert Hugill – Planethugill.com – 12 May 2021

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