Nominee in the Choral category

“…This disc confirms that the work [The Prison] is a significant rediscovery, which should never have languished in a drawer… Chandos’s recording is superb. American conductor James Blachly marshals his forces magnificently, including a sympathetic small choir … Blachly’s own ensemble, the New York-based Experimental Orchestra and Chorus displays a youthful freshness that pervades every bar. Smyth’s orchestration is varied and inspiring … A serene, dignified resignation characterise the superb baritone (Dashon Burton) and soprano (Sarch Brailey). Blachly's orchestra feels rich, warm, and empathetic …”

“My top CD this year must be the world premiere recording of Ethel Smyth's late masterwork The Prison, an amazing discovery and a terrific recording.” *****

“… There’s no doubting the commitment and excellence of the solo singers with Sarah Bailey as The Soul and the splendid Dashon Burton as The Prisoner. Orchestra and chorus are directed by James Blachly who masterminds the music’s trajectory and uses his own new edition. The booklet notes have been expertly organised, and the recorded sound is great. Everything is firmly committed and focused…”

“… The performances by both Dashon Burton as the Prisoner and Sarah Brailey as the Soul are highly expressive and right in their dimensions; again, despite the Symphony title, this is a smaller work. They are ably backed by New York's Experiential Orchestra and Chorus under James Blachly, in material that was totally new for all…”

“… As The Prisoner, Dashon Burton is sympathetically caught, his warm, capacious bass-baritone easily holding the attention thanks to his sensitive way with the text. He’s nicely complemented by the bright, slightly fragile soprano of Sarah Brailey who, though a little pushed at the top, brings an appropriately ethereal quality to The Soul. James Blatchly leads his New York City-based Experiential Orchestra in a suitably grand and stately reading enhanced by sonic engineering of imposing amplitude. The choral writing is straightforward but striking, and well-delivered here by Blachly’s disciplined Experiential Chorus… Throughout her life, recognition was an uphill battle; had Smyth been properly encouraged by a male-dominated establishment, perhaps she would have left us with more. The Prison is not just a fine addition to her discography, it’s a tantalizing example of what might have been.”

“… Blachly ensures that dramatic tension is sustained from the first rumbling C, for low clarinet and strings, through to the final choral echo of the Prisoner’s last words … Dashon Burton is very ‘human’; the Prisoner’s dilemmas feel real and recognisable. The bass-baritone creates touching contrast between self-absorbed introspection and the instinctive desire to connect with the world and hold onto life. Unwaveringly lyrical whether tentative or defiant, Burton’s Prisoner is both vulnerable and possessing of inner strength. Sarah Brailey’s soprano has a lovely tender softness, but it also gleams radiantly: this ‘soul’ is no ethereal haunting but a real presence… The choral singing is terrific: the voices are lithe, animated and shimmer with hope, certainty and conviction.. This is a valuable recording. Whatever its musical merits, as the culmination of a musical life, a record of a loving friendship, and a testament to a personal creed, The Prison deserves the commitment, affection and assured performance that it receives here…”

“… The performance is illuminated by her [Brailey] ravishing tone, his [Burton ]authoritative presence, and the superb rendering of the score by Blachly and company… Smyth gives each singer several splendid sequences, and Brailey and Burton use them to full advantage… All praise to Chandos for bringing this work into the world but even more to Blachly, whose engagement with the work began in 2016 when he conducted excerpts of it and who has been the driving force behind its resurrection…”

Performance ****      Recording ****

“There has been renewed interest in Ethel Smyth’s output in recent years, and this premiere recording of her late work The Prison demonstrates why the resurrection is justified… Smyth writes exquisitely for woodwind (particularly ‘The first glimmer of dawn’; ‘The prisoner understands his own immortality’). Bass-baritone Dashon Burton is convincing as the Prisoner, while soprano Sarah Brailey’s honeyed tone is suited to the role of Soul.”

“… The recording is something of a personal triumph for conductor James Blachly. He writes in a short note that when he first encountered Smyth’s music his initial expectations were low, but as soon as rehearsals began “I found myself overtaken by the power of her music and the depth of her orchestration.” Thus inspired, he began four years of work preparing the critical edition of the score, culminating in this premiere recording. Obviously, I have no yardstick against which to judge his performance but his conducting seems to me to be full of conviction and I find it hard to imagine that The Prison could have received stronger advocacy. Smyth’s music is in very safe hands… Dame Ethel’s setting contains music of great worth and this neglected piece is here given a splendid performance. This disc offers a significant expansion of our knowledge of the music of Dame Ethel Smyth. I’m very glad that I’ve had the chance to become acquainted with The Prison and I have no doubt that this is an important release.”

“… This performance is a riveting experience and a must-listen.”

“… Very strongly recommended.”

“… From its opening, pregnant with foreboding, the music embarks on a journey of exploration, each emotional state leading to a new sphere of musical interest. The excellent Dashon Burton as the prisoner, Sarah Brailey as the soul, and the New Yorkbased Experiential Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by James Blachly, give The Prison a wholly recommendable first recording. How typical of Smyth to make such an individual contribution to the English oratorio tradition.”  ****

“…I had not come across Dashon Burton before and he is a terrific find. He sings with beautiful, beautiful diction allied to a flexibility in a vocal line which is largely dialogue, and he is ably partnered by Sarah Brailey's evocative, plangent Soul. The chorus provide fine backing, they never get their 'Praise to the holiest' moment (pace Elgar), but still impress with the commitment and sophistication they bring to the music. And that goes in spades for the orchestra. All concerned have had to learn over 60 minutes of completely unfamiliar music in a style which is not entirely familiar either. Yet, James Blachly draws a richly sophisticated and evocative performance from everyone…” *****

“… James Blachly, conducting New York’s Experiential Chorus and Orchestra, catches the music’s sweeping, sonorous energy. Sarah Brailey’s soprano radiates assurance, and Dashon Burton is outstanding as the pensive Prisoner.” ****

“…“The Prison” is a good place to start if you’re unfamiliar with Smyth’s music, as I was. This flowing, highly charged performance features soprano Sarah Brailey and Grammy-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Together with the orchestra and chorus they do full justice to the enormous creative power Smyth wielded as her career crested… Brailey’s golden tone is a perfect instrument for it. In one movement, in a nod toward the modern, Smyth has the soprano soloist sing most of her part on just one note while the orchestra twists intriguing melodies and harmonies around it. Brailey’s performance throughout is one of profound grace, complemented nicely by Burton’s smooth, sensitive and focused portrayal of the Prisoner, who ultimately “disbands his ego” and glories in death’s summons…  As interesting as the music is, it’s also an easy listen, in the best sense of the word…”