Bliss: Mary of Magdala - Enchantress / Connolly, Platt, Davis, BBC Symphony

$16.99
Label
Chandos
Release Date
November 1, 2019
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      BLISS, SIR ARTHUR
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Bbc Symphony Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Connolly, Platt, Davis
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      November 01, 2019
    • UPC
      095115524220
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      CHSA 5242
    • LABEL
      Chandos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Classical
    Works ⌄

    1. Bring me the laurel leaves -

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    2. Oh moon, shine fair -

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    3. Silent the sea, beneath the silent winds -

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    4. How I saw him in the street -

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    5. And now in the fire I fling you

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    6. Introduction: The Lord is my Shepherd - I will fear no evil

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    7. Meditation I: He leadeth me beside the still waters

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    8. Meditation II: Thy rod and staff they comfort me

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    9. Meditation III: Lambs

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    10. Meditation IV: He restoreth my soul

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    11. Meditation V: In green pastures

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    12. Interlude: Through the valley of the shadow of death

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    13. Finale: In the house of the Lord

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    14. Chorus: Ashen the sky

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    15. At last, at last (Mary)

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    16. Chorus: Look there, look there

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    17. Why trouble ye her? (Christ) - Chorus: How does she dare to touch him!

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Platt

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    18. Chorus: The proud Aegyptian Queen

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    19. Surely this was the place (Mary)

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    20. But what are those two strangers (Mary)

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    21. Recitative: But who is that yonder (Mary) - Mary, Mary (Christ)

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly, James Platt

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    22. Chorus: Mary, Mother was the pleasant bower - He is the Gardener still (Mary)

      Composer: Arthur Bliss

      Ensemble: BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Sarah Connolly

      Conductor: Andrew Davis


Sir Andrew Davis continues to champion the lesser-known works of Sir Arthur Bliss with this coupling of The Enchantress, Mary of Magdala and Meditations on a theme by John Blow. Dame Sarah Connolly and James Platt are the soloists, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The three distinctive works by Sir Arthur Bliss (1891 – 1975) on this recording span his sixties and early seventies, from 1951 onwards, the year of his sixtieth birthday, during which he composed The Enchantress for Kathleen Ferrier.

The BBC Symphony Chorus was founded in 1928 and its early appearances included the UK premieres of Bartók’s Cantata profana, Stravinsky’s Perséphone, and Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. Each year it appears regularly with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre, as well as performing at the BBC Proms, frequently at the iconic First and Last Nights. It maintains an undiminished commitment to new music, performing a wide range of challenging repertoire, often with the BBC SO, most of which is broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

REVIEW:

Here are three contrasting works of Bliss’ later years. The two vocal pieces set Greek pastoral poetry and words from St John’s Gospel. The theme in question is Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd. The programming of these three pieces makes for a satisfying experience, highlighting the inventiveness and flexibility of Bliss, still an underappreciated composer.

-- Lark Reviews