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Elgar: King Olaf, The Banner of Saint George / Davis, Bergen
Chandos

Elgar: King Olaf, The Banner of Saint George / Davis, Bergen

$43.99

Details

Composer
ELGAR, SIR EDWARD
Artist
Birsan, Banks, Opie, Kor
Format
SACD
Label
Chandos
Released
Feb 24, 2015
Catalog #
CHSA 5149(2)
UPC
095115514924

About

Dating from his years of 'apprenticeship', these two works shaped Elgar's reputation as a leading orchestrator and most popular British composer of his time. The secular cantata Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf derives from Longfellow's epic poem about Olaf Tryggvason, who became King of Norway in 995. While the text was heavily adapted and augmented, the use of sophisticated compositional techniques, such as extensive motivic work, resulted in music of great power and solemnity. The ballad The Banner of Saint George is based on the story of Saint George of Cappadocia, as related by the Bristol poet Shapcott Wensley. It was commissioned by Britain's leading publisher, Novello, and composed in only one month in 1896. Elgar overcame the prescriptive nature of the words and produced a work of lasting charm, the music rising above the material to create atmosphere, momentum, and color.

Reviews:

What a nice idea it was to have a Norwegian choir and orchestra performing English music about a Norse hero. The combined Norwegian choirs sing very well indeed in both works, and the Bergen Philharmonic plays with verve and distinction. Sir Andrew Davis is just the man for these assignments.

– MusicWeb International

There's nothing stilted about Elgar's music: it crackles with confident vitality...the Norwegian choruses respond with crisp vigor and superb English diction, only faintly (and appropriately) Scandinavian-tinged. Davis's expansive conducting and the excellent Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra bring out Elgar's vivid orchestral textures.

– BBC Music Magazine

Tracklist 33 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Introduction: There Is a Wondrous Book (Chorus, Bass, Soprano, Tenor) 03:07
    Track
    1
    Title
    Introduction: There Is a Wondrous Book (Chorus, Bass, Soprano, Tenor)
    Duration
    03:07
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  3. 2 Summon now the God of Thunder (Bass) 00:57
    Track
    2
    Title
    Summon now the God of Thunder (Bass)
    Duration
    00:57
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  4. 3 The Challenge of Thor (Chorus) 04:01
    Track
    3
    Title
    The Challenge of Thor (Chorus)
    Duration
    04:01
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  5. 4 King Olaf's Return (Tenor) 06:42
    Track
    4
    Title
    King Olaf's Return (Tenor)
    Duration
    06:42
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Barry Banks
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  6. 5 Recitative: Tell How Olaf Bore the Cross (Bass) 00:38
    Track
    5
    Title
    Recitative: Tell How Olaf Bore the Cross (Bass)
    Duration
    00:38
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  7. 6 The Conversion: King Olaf's Prows at Nidaros (Chorus) 03:07
    Track
    6
    Title
    The Conversion: King Olaf's Prows at Nidaros (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:07
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  8. 7 The Conversion: Behold Me, My People (Tenor, Bass, Chorus) 04:58
    Track
    7
    Title
    The Conversion: Behold Me, My People (Tenor, Bass, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie, Barry Banks
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  9. 8 The Conversion: As Leaps the Lights of Winter (Chorus, Bass) 03:02
    Track
    8
    Title
    The Conversion: As Leaps the Lights of Winter (Chorus, Bass)
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  10. 9 The Conversion: Then o'er the Blood-stained Hog-stone (Chorus, Tenor) 05:30
    Track
    9
    Title
    The Conversion: Then o'er the Blood-stained Hog-stone (Chorus, Tenor)
    Duration
    05:30
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Barry Banks
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  11. 10 Recitative: Now the Child of Ironbeard Dead (Bass) 00:44
    Track
    10
    Title
    Recitative: Now the Child of Ironbeard Dead (Bass)
    Duration
    00:44
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  12. 11 Gudrun (Soprano, Chorus, Tenor) 06:05
    Track
    11
    Title
    Gudrun (Soprano, Chorus, Tenor)
    Duration
    06:05
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan, Barry Banks
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  13. 12 Recitative: How the Wraith of Odin Old (Bass) 00:48
    Track
    12
    Title
    Recitative: How the Wraith of Odin Old (Bass)
    Duration
    00:48
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  14. 13 The Wraith of Odin (Chorus) 05:40
    Track
    13
    Title
    The Wraith of Odin (Chorus)
    Duration
    05:40
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  15. 14 Recitative: Sisters, Sing Ye Now the Song (Bass) 00:43
    Track
    14
    Title
    Recitative: Sisters, Sing Ye Now the Song (Bass)
    Duration
    00:43
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  16. 15 Sigrid: Sigrid Sits in Her High Abode (Chorus) 02:23
    Track
    15
    Title
    Sigrid: Sigrid Sits in Her High Abode (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:23
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  17. 16 Sigrid: Sigrid, Hail! With Royal Hand (Tenor, Soprano, Chorus) 04:30
    Track
    16
    Title
    Sigrid: Sigrid, Hail! With Royal Hand (Tenor, Soprano, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:30
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan, Barry Banks
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  18. Disc 2
  19. 1 Recitative: Hark! She Flies From Wendland Forth (Bass) 00:41
    Track
    1
    Title
    Recitative: Hark! She Flies From Wendland Forth (Bass)
    Duration
    00:41
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  20. 2 Thyri (Chorus) 04:48
    Track
    2
    Title
    Thyri (Chorus)
    Duration
    04:48
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  21. 3 Duet: The Gray Land Breaks to Lively Green (Soprano) 02:19
    Track
    3
    Title
    Duet: The Gray Land Breaks to Lively Green (Soprano)
    Duration
    02:19
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  22. 4 Duet: Thyri, My Beloved (Tenor, Soprano) 06:06
    Track
    4
    Title
    Duet: Thyri, My Beloved (Tenor, Soprano)
    Duration
    06:06
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan, Barry Banks
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  23. 5 Recitative: After Queen Gunhild's Death (Chorus) 01:30
    Track
    5
    Title
    Recitative: After Queen Gunhild's Death (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:30
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  24. 6 The Death of Olaf (Chorus) 06:41
    Track
    6
    Title
    The Death of Olaf (Chorus)
    Duration
    06:41
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  25. 7 Epilogue: In the Convent of Drontheim (Chorus) 01:29
    Track
    7
    Title
    Epilogue: In the Convent of Drontheim (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:29
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  26. 8 Epilogue: It Is Accepted (Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus) 03:19
    Track
    8
    Title
    Epilogue: It Is Accepted (Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:19
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  27. 9 Epilogue: Stronger Than Steel (Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus) 04:37
    Track
    9
    Title
    Epilogue: Stronger Than Steel (Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:37
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Performer
    Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Alan Opie
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  28. 10 Scene 1: Within Sylene's walls no sound is heard 02:41
    Track
    10
    Title
    Scene 1: Within Sylene's walls no sound is heard
    Duration
    02:41
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  29. 11 Scene 1: The women of Sylene rend their hair 01:37
    Track
    11
    Title
    Scene 1: The women of Sylene rend their hair
    Duration
    01:37
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  30. 12 Scene 1: Forth from the palace, beautiful as day 03:18
    Track
    12
    Title
    Scene 1: Forth from the palace, beautiful as day
    Duration
    03:18
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  31. 13 Scene 1: O calm your hearts 03:12
    Track
    13
    Title
    Scene 1: O calm your hearts
    Duration
    03:12
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  32. 14 Scene 2: Without a fear beside the dragon's tarn 02:46
    Track
    14
    Title
    Scene 2: Without a fear beside the dragon's tarn
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  33. 15 Scene 2: Hark! 'tis the ringing hoof of steed 02:38
    Track
    15
    Title
    Scene 2: Hark! 'tis the ringing hoof of steed
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  34. 16 Scene 2: Loud cry the people 05:25
    Track
    16
    Title
    Scene 2: Loud cry the people
    Duration
    05:25
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  35. 17 Epilogue: It comes from the misty ages 05:34
    Track
    17
    Title
    Epilogue: It comes from the misty ages
    Duration
    05:34
    Composer
    Edward Elgar
    Ensemble
    Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm Bergen Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis