Monday, January 31st, 2011
I have just finished posting Vols. 1-5 of the English Cathedral Choir Series on Klassic Haus Restorations that I worked on this month. These CDs are transcriptions of LPs from the extraordinary series the Argo label published in the early to mid-60s, featuring English cathedral and chapel choirs performing mostly English repertoire. These 5 CDs cover 4 cathedral choirs and 1 chapel choir, and have many rarely-heard pieces by lesser-known composers, as well as more familiar works. Comments posted on the website follow:
KHCD-2011-014 (STEREO) – English Cathedral Choir Series, Vol. 1: Evensong for Ash Wednesday – Choir of King’s College, Cambridge/David Willcocks – First in a series of 5 CDs devoted to the English Cathedral Choir, this recording, derived from an Argo LP from 1964, is a setting of the Ash Wednesday Service as observed by King’s College, Cambridge. Works by Allegri, Byrd, Farrant, and Purcell, as well as lesser-know composers Joseph Pring, Matthew Camidge, and Thomas Causton are featured, with readings by the Chaplain, Dean and Director of Music of King’s College. The unmistakable sound of King’s College Choir, led by David Willcocks, provides the perfect setting for a time of solemn contemplation during the season of Lent, or any other occasional where peace and reflection may be enhanced by music.
KHCD-2011-017 (STEREO) – English Cathedral Choir Series, Vol. 2 – Hymns for All Seasons – Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge/George Guest – Continuing the English Cathedral Choir Series on Klassic Haus is this collections of hymns representing seasons of the Church year. The album, from an Argo LP recorded in 1964, is lead by George Guest who was organist and choirmaster at St. John’s College in Cambridge UK from 1951 to 1991, who transformed the choir into one of the most renowned English choirs, recording more than 60 albums and touring the world. The vocal sound of St. John’s has been described as more “cosmopolitan” than the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. Certainly possessing a unique quality unrivaled by others, this selection of hymns is a delight, and useful as a reference as well as inspirational source.
KHCD-2011-018 (STEREO) – English Cathedral Choir Series, Vol. 3 – English Cathedral Music 1770-1860: Thomas Attwood Walmisley: Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in d minor; John Nares: The souls of the righteous; John Goss: If we believe that Jesus died; Samuel Wesley: In exitu Israel; Samuel Sebastian Wesley: The Wilderness; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace; Blessed be the God and Father – Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge/George Guest – Church music in England at the beginning of the 19th century had sunk to an appalling state, causing Samuel Sebastian Wesley (represented on this disc with 3 pieces) to publish a pamphlet titled a few words on Cathedral Music and the Musical System of the Church, and a plan of reform. The decline of standards of performance were decried, the tearing down and defacing of organs was found abhorrent, and the terrible physical state of church music books bemoaned. Given such an unsympathetic climate, it is surprising that any church music of value was produced during this period, yet the eight pieces on this disc, derived from an Argo LP of 1964, prove that by no means everything was of mediocre quality. Sung with commitment and particular grace and style, the Choir of St. John’s College Cambridge bring these minor masterpieces back to life.
KHCD-2011-019 (STEREO) – English Cathedral Choir Series, Vol. 4 – Sing Joyfully: A recital of anthems from Tallis to Britten – The Choir of St. Michael’s College, Tenbury/Lucian Nethsingha – The Chapel of St. Michael’s College, Tenbury, is set amongst the orchards of Worcestershire, and it is in this peaceful place that the Choir of St. Michael’s College call home. This choir, made up of choristers studying at the college as well as non-choristers, has a lighter sound than the other choirs represented in this series, and the music presented in this recital fits their unique timbre perfectly. Transcribed from an Argo LP of 1965.
KHCD-2011-020 (STEREO) – English Cathedral Choir Series, Vol. 5 – 150 Years of English Church Music: Works by Battishill, Blow, Boyce, Croft, Greene, Purcell, and Wise – Salisbury Cathedral Choir/Christopher Dearnley – Salisbury Cathedral is one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europe, and it within this superb acoustical setting that the Salisbury Cathedral Choir presents this collection of works by English composers spanning 150 years. The Choir is lead by Christopher Dearnley , who was Assistant Organist, Salisbury Cathedral 1954-57, Music Master, Cathedral School 1954-57, and Organist and Master of the Choristers 1957-67. Taken from an Argo LP of 1961, this recital includes works of great beauty by minor composers as well as the genius of Henry Purcell.
I will be on the road with business trips at the beginning of February. Mid-February I will working on more Karl Ristenpart LPs, including his recordings of Bach Cantatas No. 56 & 169, and the second recording he made of the Art of The Fugue, both with the Chamber Orchestra of The Saar. I also will begin work on Denis Vaughan’s 1967 RCA recordings of Schubert symphonies and Haydn’s “Paris” symphonies, both sets featuring the Orchestra of Naples. Keep checking back! – Cheers – Curt Timmons