Poetry in Music

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BRITTEN / HOWELLS / RAMSEY / RUBBRA / TIPPETT / TOMKINS
Poetry in Music
The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

[ Coro / CD ]

Release Date: Sunday 1 November 2015

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Does music add substance to words or is music inspired by them? Songs of departure and farewell are deeply rooted in the great tradition of British choral music, nourished by ancient myths of testing journeys, wayside transformations and homecomings. The transcendent nature of music and the power of poetry to challenge and alter perceptions of reality - harnessed by English composers over many centuries - flow through a programme that invites contemplation of life and death, of love and loss, creation and eternity. In a journey covering six centuries of musical history, The Sixteen performs a cappella anthems with powerful texts by writers as varied as Edmund Spenser, Christopher Fry and W.H. Auden.

"The glowing textures of Harris's classic anthem Faire is the heaven give way to an exuberant and rhythmically incisive account of Tippett's Dance, clarion air, while the direct, heartfelt expression of Weelkes's When David Heard is beautifully countered by the luminous, angelic wafting of high sopranos in MacMillan's The Gallant Weaver. Four tracks and less than 20 minutes into this disc it is clear that this is something really special. The Sixteen so consistently perform at the highest level that it's easy to take them for granted; this exploration of English settings of poetry is very beautiful indeed." Gramophone Award Nomination Choral 2016

"the British composers represented here, covering five centuries, all chose distinguished texts and responded with extraordinary music...The performances are beautiful and brilliant." (NewYorkTimes)

Tracks:

Britten:
Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27

East, M:
When David Heard that Absalom was Slain

Gurney:
Since I believe in God the Father

Harris, W:
Faire is the Heaven
Bring us, O Lord God

Howells:
Take him, earth, for cherishing

MacMillan:
The Gallant Weaver

Pearsall:
Lay a garland

Ramsey, R:
When David heard

Rubbra:
There is a spirit
Eternitie

Tippett:
Dance, Clarion Air

Tomkins:
When David Heard

Weelkes:
When David Heard