Par BRALEY BERNARD. Bernard Braley This volume covers the lives of George Herbert, the seventeenth century religious poet and parson; Edward Plumptre, the nineteenth century educationalist and theologian who became Dean of Wells Cathedral; Robert Bridges, medical man, precentor in a village church, Poet Laureate and eccentric; and Fred Pratt Green, who took up hymnwriting seriously at an age when …

Dramma giocoso (Opera) in two acts. Par MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS. In early 1787 Mozart made his first visit to Prague, where he attended a performance of Le nozze di Figaro on 17 January and conducted the performance five days later. Thoroughly impressed by the huge success of his opera and the personal triumphs he had enjoyed during his visit, he and his wife left the city on 7 February, but not b…

/ Piano

Par SAMUEL RHIAN. Music for SATB chorus occupies an important place in Rhian Samuel 's catalogue of works, from the early carols written in the USA, 'Jolly Wat the Shepherd' of 1970 and 'So Long Ago' (1st Prize, Greenwich Festival, 1979) to her most recent anthems for the Choir of New College Oxford. In her songs, vocal chamber music and choral compositions she has explored an impressive range of …

for medium voice and organ. Par HUMMEL BERTOLD. The rushing of the Holy Spirit to which the hymn 'Veni creator' refers is symbolized by fast semiquaver runs of the organ which return again and again during the whole piece. Alternately, the text is interpreted musically in seven verses according to the respective content. Traditional melodies appear in a contemporary harmonic makeup. From this cont…

Par RAVEL MAURICE. Maurice Ravel broke new personal ground with his only piano trio, yet in a stroke of genius he created a work of the early 20th century that is outstanding in many respects and a key work of this genre. As one of his most rhythmically daring pieces, the four-movement trio fascinates with its asymmetrical rhythmic division and polymetrics, with Ravel possibly drawing on impressio…

Florentiner Sinfonie'. Par RHEINBERGER JOSEF GABRIEL. Rheinberger began work on his second Symphony during his visit to Italy with his wife in 1874. He was commissioned to write it by an orchestral society in Florence – an indication that his reputation had already spread throughout Europe. The autograph score contains a poem by his wife Fanny, which in four sections expressed the moods of impress…

Par KRZANOWSKI ANDRZEJ. The sequence of expressively and dynamically contrasting tempi (Lento assai e tranquillo – Allegro con vigore – Lento assai e tranquillo – Allegro con vigore – Lento assai – Allegro con vigore – Lento assai e tranquillo – Allegro con vigore – Lento assai da lontano) creates a distinctly twofold form. Yet the two agogic-expressive strands display two features in common: musi…

Florentiner Sinfonie'. Par RHEINBERGER JOSEF GABRIEL. Rheinberger began work on his second Symphony during his visit to Italy with his wife in 1874. He was commissioned to write it by an orchestral society in Florence – an indication that his reputation had already spread throughout Europe. The autograph score contains a poem by his wife Fanny, which in four sections expressed the moods of impress…

For Advent, Palm Sunday, or any time, Break Forth Into Joy celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2016. The short duration and effective part-writing make the anthem quick to learn but the final effect is impressive. Based on old-testament scriptures, the pleasing lilt of 6/8 helps capture the unbounded joy of a people 'preparing the way.' / Choeur Mixte (SATB)

Auld Lang Syne. Par TRADITIONAL. This traditional melody is known worldwide as a song of farewell. Jan Van der Roost treated it as an anthem in this splendid arrangement. The melody is brought to us in whole or in part by various instruments and is surrounded by logical yet original - sometimes surprising - chords that dare to fluctuate. After a broad tutti, the ensemble begins to die out. The pie…

A portrait of humble and faithful service is presented in this pleasing ballad. Melodically satisfying, the sweeping chorus climbs to impressive heights, carrying with it the core values to be faithful and true, patient and understanding, seeking wisdom, knowledge and truth. As if mirroring the message of a contrite heart, the anthem ends quiescently, enabling seamless worship flow. Accompany with…

Par SZATHMARY ZSIGMOND. The powerful intensity of colour and expressiveness of the mosaic images in the apse and altar area of the late antique church of San Vitale (from the 6th century) in Ravenna made a lasting impression on Zsigmond Szathmáry. The fascination of how imposing images emerge from tiny, luminous mosaic cubes and vividly tell the biblical stories inspired the composer to write his …