Parry: The Soul's Ransom/ The Lotos-Eaters/Blest pair of Sirens/Invocation to Music Choir Orchestral & Concertos 2 for 1

SIR CHARLES HUBERT H. PARRY

(1848-1918)

COMPACT DISC ONE

The Soul's Ransom*

47:04

A Psalm of the Poor

(Sinfonia Sacra)

for soprano, bass, chorus and orchestra

Section 1

Introduction. Lento -

4:17

'Who can number the sands of the sea'. Lento -

8:17

Chorus

Section 2

'Hear ye this, O ye people'. Allegro agitato -

4:21

Bass solo

'We look for light, but behold darkness'. Moderato maestoso -

3:21

Chorus

'Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith?' Lento

7:10

Soprano solo and chorus

Section 3

'The hand of the Lord was upon me'. Maestoso

9:29

Bass solo and chorus

Section 4

'The people that walked in darkness'. Moderato, energico -

5:00

Soprano solo

'See how, ye that love the light'. Moderato, tranquillo

5:06

Chorus

The Lotos-Eaters†

32:39

for soprano, chorus and orchestra

'There is sweet music here that softer fall'. Andante tranquillo -

3:36

Chorus

10.

'Why are we weigh'd upon with heaviness'. Allegro -

1:39

Chorus

11.

III

'Lo! in the middle of the wood' -

2:40

Soprano solo

12.

'Hateful is the dark-blue sky'. Allegro moderato -

2:23

Chorus

13.

'How sweet it were, hearing the downward stream'. Andante tranquillo -

4:25

Soprano solo

14.

'Dear is the memory of our wedded lives'. Moderato - Lento -

4:28

Men's chorus

15.

VII

'But, propt on beds of amaranth and moly'. Andantino -

2:20

Soprano solo

16.

VIII

'The Lotos blooms below the barren peak'. Allegro tranquillo - Andante

11:07

Chorus and soprano solo

79:55

COMPACT DISC TWO

Blest pair of Sirens‡

11:53

An Ode by Milton

Invocation to Music§

54:57

An Ode (in Honour of Henry Purcell) by Robert Bridges

for soprano, tenor, bass, chorus and orchestra

Introduction -

'Myriad voicèd Queen!' Moderato -

5:10

Chorus

'Turn, O return!. Allegretto tranquillo

4:05

Chorus and soprano solo

III

'Thee, fair Poetry oft hath sought'. Allegretto tranquillo

4:33

Tenor solo

'The monstrous sea'. Maestoso energico

5:34

Chorus

'Love to Love calleth'. Andante appassionato

5:17

Soprano and tenor

Dirge. 'Tome, tome, fair-hearted Goddess, come!' Maestoso -

8:05

Bass solo

VII

'Man, born of desire'. Moderato -

4:55

Chorus

VIII

'Rejoice, ye dead, where'er your spirits dwell'. Più lento

6:10

Soprano solo and chorus

10.

'O enter with me the gates of delight'. Allegro vivace

5:41

Soprano, tenor and bass

11.

'Thou, O Queen of sinless grace'. Allegro vivo

5:09

Chorus

12.

I was glad‡

7:10

Anthem, with words from Psalm 122

74:19

Solo: Anne Dawson soprano§

Solo: Brian Rayner Cook baritone§

London Philharmonic Choir

London Symphony Chorus

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra *†§

London Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Matthias Bamert *†§

Conductor: Richard Hickox ‡

14-16 February (Blest pair of Sirens, I was glad)

25-27 March 1991 (The Soul's Ransom, The Lotos-Eaters)

10-11 May 1991 (Invocation to Music)

Here is an outstanding collection of some of Parry’s finest choral music, with two of his most popular anthems, admirably conducted by Richard Hickox Della Jones is the characterful soloist in both works, to be joined by David Wilson-Johnson in the latter piece. The singing throughout is first class, warmly sympathetic, as is the orchestral playing, and Mathias Bamert is in his element in this repertoire, as is the Chandos recording team. The Penguin Guide - 1000 Greatest Classical Recordings 2011-12

‘The choral singing and the playing of the LPO under Matthias Bamert is magnificent, ably championing these deserved revivals.’

Classic CD

Chandos has recoupled several of its choral recordings of music by Hubert Parry in a recommendable well-filled set which makes a very good introduction to the composer and his major contributions to this repertoire… This is a terrific set, the performances being uniformly excellent.

International Record Review

Parry’s scores at once anticipate and reflect Elgar, and it’s a mystery why such powerful, beautifully conceived and effective music is not heard regularly in our concert halls.

Classic FM Magazine

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