Monday, March 14th, 2011
I have finished and posted on Klassic Haus Restorations this CD transfer of the perennial choral favorite, John Stainer’s “The Crucifixion”, from the classic 1961 EMI/Angel recording, the first professional taping of the piece. This recording has been used as a teaching tool for decades; I first heard it in high school back in the 60s, and later used it myself in preparation for a performance in which I was singing. Herbert Bardgett chooses perfectly paced tempi, and his chorus, the Leeds Philharmonic Choir, is superbly disciplined and responds well to his direction. Alexander Young and Donald Bell are the soloists; both sing with conviction and sensitivity. I have included the short comments from the website below:
KHCD-2011-030 (STEREO) – John Stainer: The Crucifixion – Alexander Young, tenor; Donald Bell, bass; Eric Chadwick, organ: Leeds Philharmonic Choir/Herbert Bardgett, conductor – Stainer’s Crucifixion was for generations a staple piece for church choirs and amateur choral societies, especially during the Lenten season. This recording, made in 1961 by EMI, was the first professionally produced taping of this exemplar of 19th century English choral music. Alexander Young gives his solo work the usual exceptionally sweet-toned, musically sensitive performance, and Donald Bell is perfectly cast as the voice of Jesus. The Leeds Philharmonic Choir provides well-disciplined support, producing a superb, balanced sound rivaling professional choirs. Herbert Bardgett conducts with sensitivity, eschewing overtly Romantic tempi and ritardandi in service to the message of the work. This transfer used a domestic blue-label, red leatherette spine Angel release; the recording was cut at a low level (as was the English EMI disc issued in Europe), so I raised the levels to a more realistic soundstage.
I was hoping to post this before Lent began, but got behind in production. Still, it is available once again, and hopefully will serve as a continued reference, both as a teaching tool and a source of inspiration and meditation.
Cheers – Curt Timmons