Ashley Riches, BBC Concert Orchestra, City Of London Choir And Hilary Davan Wetton
Release Date: 15 May 2020
Label: Em Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5060263500544
Genres: Classical Twentieth Century
Description
The Ballad of the White Horseis a major choral work which has largely remained unheard since its premiere in 1959. It is a tour de force of orchestral and choral writing by a composer who was hugely inspired by the Chesterton's epic poem telling the story of King Alfred's defiance of the Viking invaders in the 9th Century. Here is it performed by BBC Concert Orchestra, City of London Choir and Hilary Davan Wetton.
The CD is completed by the orchestral "An English Ballad", effectively an English tone poem inspired by the classic tale of a lady eloping with a Gypsy. It features a solo electric guitar prominently, reflecting Gardner's view of the significance of the electric guitar in 20th Century music. Both pieces, originally written for amateur performers, are highly approachable and enjoyable. As the review of the premiere ofThe Ballad of White Horse said, "music that is a pleasure for [the choir] to sing and easy for an audience to appreciate. But this simplicity masks a wealth of ingenuity in invention and treatment".
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"An attractive and well-crafted work, it is easy to understand why Gardner regarded it as his most successful cantata, especially in a performance as committed as this. Ashley Riches is a commanding soloist…The City of London Choir and Paulina Voices sing with rousing gusto in the more rambunctious passages, yet with control and hush in the numerous mysterious or poetic moments…the BBC Concert Orchestra is typically assured and nuanced." Perf: 4 STARS, Rec: 4 STARS – BBC Music Magazine
"It is a most welcome addition to the list of rediscovered works having just the right amount of pastoral Englishness and epic modalism to move the Arthurian story along… It is beautifully scored and covers a range of styles including a particularly successful foray into Gershwinesque jazz... The recording is up to EM Records generally high standard. The distinguished conductor Hilary Davan Wetton, draws fine dramatic performances from the BBCCO, while the singers and baritone Ashley Riches are in fine form as a range of character players. -Paul Jackon. BMS Bulletin
Tracklisting
Paul Guinery
Paul Guinery
BBC Concert Orchestra, David Hill, BBC Singers, Nadine Benjamin, Ben McAteer
Grant Doyle, John Kember, Brian Sibley
Jeremy Huw Williams, Timothy Kantor, Paula Fan
English Arts Chorale, English Arts Orchestra, Leslie Olive
Duncan Honeybourne
The New Foxtrot Serenaders
