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Contents:
DDD Total time = 60.45 - 1998 The Cambridge University Chamber Choir, directed by Timothy Brown, have produced a beautiful recording of Barber's choral writing which enhances these qualities of lyricism and melodic line. Although everyone will be most familiar with the Agnus Dei we find a wide range of mood and dynamic in these pieces, well performed by this choir, illustrating the great skill that Barber had to paint pictures with music. This is much of the appeal and approachability of his music. The album opens with three Reincarnations: Mary Hynes, Anthony O'Daly and The Coolin. Immediately we see the contrast between the first which is very bright, the second has a constant, insistent repetition of the name Anthony O'Daly on the same note virtually throughout the piece with an interesting interweaving of the other parts. The third is typified by the close harmony writing which, for many, has come to represent an American style. Other highlights of this album include Under the Willow Tree, a lilting waltz, is originally from Barber's first opera Vanessa which is considered to be one of the most significant American operas of our time and one of his major achievements. This piece is one of the most memorable from the first act and has also become popular as a recital song. First produced at the Metropolitan Opera with Menotti directing and Cecil Beaton designing sets and costumes, Vanessa was the first American opera ever performed at the Salzburg festival, making its European debut in 1958. Listen out for the strident opening, on timpani, to A Stopwatch And An Ordinance Map. The timpani continue the accompaniment throughout this piece providing an interesting commentary from striding footsteps to rumbles of thunder. Also in The Monk and his Cat it is very easy to imagine the cat delicately making his way across the piano keys, and in To Be Sung On the Water the lilting, gentle lapping of the water conveyed in the part writing. Angus Dei will be recognised by everyone, even if they do not know the title, as it has been used for many film and television works in the orchestral form Adagio for Strings Op. 11. Originally the slow movement of a string quartet in B minor, Barber transcribed it for orchestra. Its association with the poignancy of war, by the use in film, is supported by the sustained melody, however the rising line and harmony does lift the spirit to leave us with a hope of peace. The two choruses from the three act opera Antony and Cleopatra are a great contrast to the piece from Vanessa. It was commissioned for the opening of the Metropolitan Opera at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts by the General Manager Rudolf Bing. Barber hesitated for a long time before accepting saying ".. none of my friends would talk to me anymore if I didn't". The text, based on the Shakespeare play, was by Franco Zeffirelli who also staged and designed it. As one can imagine it was lavish to an extreme, so intricate in the use of stage tricks and devices that most critics thought it too pretentious to be effective. Having said this these two choruses do capture very well the hopelessness of this famous drama. This delightful recording concludes with three pieces for organ, played by Jeremy Filsell on the organ of Exeter College, Oxford. In the form of Chorale Preludes, Barber's early beginnings as an organist shines through in the first two pieces. Silent Night appeared in Die Natali (Chorale Preludes for Orchestra Op. 37), the title meaning Christmas tide in Latin, which was written to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Boston Symphony who performed them on 22 December 1960. The album finishes with an exuberant arrangement of Happy Birthday. Very appropriate, as it would make a most excellent present for anyones birthday! Jacqueline Clifton Singers on this recording Reincarnations: James Stephens (after the Irish of Raftery) Extra singers for the Agnus Dei were: Sopranos: Emma Little, Leonie Mason & Lydia Smallwood Page revised Friday May 25 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sound Clip