Starter Packs

Complete your collection with these curated titles, grouped at a special discount.

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

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

$21.99

Details

Composer
BLISS, SIR ARTHUR
Artist
Connolly, Platt, Davis
Format
SACD
Label
Chandos
Released
Nov 01, 2019
Catalog #
CHSA 5242
UPC
095115524220

About

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

Tracklist 22 tracks

  1. 1 Bring me the laurel leaves - 03:21
    Track
    1
    Title
    Bring me the laurel leaves -
    Duration
    03:21
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  2. 2 Oh moon, shine fair - 05:09
    Track
    2
    Title
    Oh moon, shine fair -
    Duration
    05:09
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  3. 3 Silent the sea, beneath the silent winds - 01:46
    Track
    3
    Title
    Silent the sea, beneath the silent winds -
    Duration
    01:46
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  4. 4 How I saw him in the street - 03:57
    Track
    4
    Title
    How I saw him in the street -
    Duration
    03:57
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  5. 5 And now in the fire I fling you 02:56
    Track
    5
    Title
    And now in the fire I fling you
    Duration
    02:56
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  6. 6 Introduction: The Lord is my Shepherd - I will fear no evil 06:39
    Track
    6
    Title
    Introduction: The Lord is my Shepherd - I will fear no evil
    Duration
    06:39
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  7. 7 Meditation I: He leadeth me beside the still waters 02:52
    Track
    7
    Title
    Meditation I: He leadeth me beside the still waters
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  8. 8 Meditation II: Thy rod and staff they comfort me 02:47
    Track
    8
    Title
    Meditation II: Thy rod and staff they comfort me
    Duration
    02:47
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  9. 9 Meditation III: Lambs 02:38
    Track
    9
    Title
    Meditation III: Lambs
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  10. 10 Meditation IV: He restoreth my soul 02:34
    Track
    10
    Title
    Meditation IV: He restoreth my soul
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  11. 11 Meditation V: In green pastures 04:33
    Track
    11
    Title
    Meditation V: In green pastures
    Duration
    04:33
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  12. 12 Interlude: Through the valley of the shadow of death 04:06
    Track
    12
    Title
    Interlude: Through the valley of the shadow of death
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  13. 13 Finale: In the house of the Lord 06:00
    Track
    13
    Title
    Finale: In the house of the Lord
    Duration
    06:00
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  14. 14 Chorus: Ashen the sky 04:23
    Track
    14
    Title
    Chorus: Ashen the sky
    Duration
    04:23
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  15. 15 At last, at last (Mary) 03:35
    Track
    15
    Title
    At last, at last (Mary)
    Duration
    03:35
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  16. 16 Chorus: Look there, look there 01:09
    Track
    16
    Title
    Chorus: Look there, look there
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  17. 17 Why trouble ye her? (Christ) - Chorus: How does she dare to touch him! 01:12
    Track
    17
    Title
    Why trouble ye her? (Christ) - Chorus: How does she dare to touch him!
    Duration
    01:12
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    James Platt
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  18. 18 Chorus: The proud Aegyptian Queen 01:58
    Track
    18
    Title
    Chorus: The proud Aegyptian Queen
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  19. 19 Surely this was the place (Mary) 01:57
    Track
    19
    Title
    Surely this was the place (Mary)
    Duration
    01:57
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  20. 20 But what are those two strangers (Mary) 02:40
    Track
    20
    Title
    But what are those two strangers (Mary)
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  21. 21 Recitative: But who is that yonder (Mary) - Mary, Mary (Christ) 04:07
    Track
    21
    Title
    Recitative: But who is that yonder (Mary) - Mary, Mary (Christ)
    Duration
    04:07
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly, James Platt
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  22. 22 Chorus: Mary, Mother was the pleasant bower - He is the Gardener still (Mary) 06:11
    Track
    22
    Title
    Chorus: Mary, Mother was the pleasant bower - He is the Gardener still (Mary)
    Duration
    06:11
    Composer
    Arthur Bliss
    Performer
    Sarah Connolly
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis