Stanford: Choral Music
Elizabeth Cragg (soprano), Catherine Hopper (mezzo-soprano), Robert Murray (tenor), David Soar (bass)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Bach Choir, David Hill
[Hill’s] fiery shaping of the Prelude to Stanford’s Stabat Mater shows how responsive the Bournemouth orchestra has become to his direction; and his powerful shaping of the ‘Stabat Mater dolorosa’...
Stanford: Choral Music
Elizabeth Cragg (soprano), Catherine Hopper (mezzo-soprano), Robert Murray (tenor), David Soar (bass)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Bach Choir, David Hill
Purchase product
[Hill’s] fiery shaping of the Prelude to Stanford’s Stabat Mater shows how responsive the Bournemouth orchestra has become to his direction; and his powerful shaping of the ‘Stabat Mater dolorosa’...
About
Choral music was central to Charles Villiers Stanford’s life as a composer. Balancing solemnity with rapturous affirmation, The Resurrection was his first major choral work, written while he was studying under Carl Reinecke in Leipzig and anticipating Mahler’s use of Klopstock’s eponymous poem in his ‘Resurrection’ Symphony. The dramatic, at times almost operatic and Wagnerian Stabat Mater is a cantata with two purely orchestral movements suggestive of a large-scale symphony, while Song to the Soul contains some of Stanford’s most exhilarating utterances, though it was never performed in his lifetime.
Directed by David Hill, The Bach Choir is recognised as one of the world’s leading choruses, building upon a tradition that combines musical excellence with creativity and innovation. Described by the London Evening Standard as “probably the finest independent choir in the world”, the choir values its independence, choosing to work with the very best orchestras and soloists. With a strong commitment to new music, The Bach Choir has commissioned works from some of the world’s leading composers, including Sir John Tavener, Bob Chilcott and Jonathan Dove.
Contents and tracklist
- Elizabeth Cragg, Catherine Hopper, Robert Murray, David Soar
- Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Bach Choir
- David Hill
Awards and reviews
November 2016
[Hill’s] fiery shaping of the Prelude to Stanford’s Stabat Mater shows how responsive the Bournemouth orchestra has become to his direction; and his powerful shaping of the ‘Stabat Mater dolorosa’ movement locks players and singers tightly together in the sizzling crescendo at ‘Pertransivit gladius’…the solo singing, heartfelt throughout, is particularly gripping in the opening stanza [of the final movement]
February 2017
It is here given an excellent performance by the soloists, Bach choir and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Hill. This is an enjoyable disc
October 2016
A very fine collection of Stanford’s choral-orchestral music.
2nd October 2016
Bravo to David Hill, the Bach Choir and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for bringing three neglected large-scale works by Charles Villiers Stanford to wider attention in this excellent recording... Clean-toned soprano Elizabeth Cragg stands out among the soloists.
The Classical Reviewer October 2016
Stanford is still an undeservedly underrated composer. His Stabat Mater is a work of considerable achievement as is this performance from David Hill and the wonderful Bach Choir, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and fine line up of soloists
