Lawrence Wiliford - O Gladsome Light: Sacred Songs, Hymns & Meditations (2017)

Tracklist

01. 4 Songs, Op. 35: No. 1, Jesu Sweet
02. 4 Songs, Op. 35: No. 2, My Soul Has Nought but Fire and Ice
03. 4 Songs, Op. 35: No. 3, I Sing of a Maiden
04. 4 Songs, Op. 35: No. 4, My Leman Is So True
05. A Hymn to the Virgin, Op. 13 No. 2
06. Cradle Song, Op. 8 No. 1
07. Jesukin, Op. 4 No. 2
08. Variations on a Phrygian Theme, Op. 105
09. A Prayer, Op. 17 No. 1
10. The Heart Worships, H. 95
11. Rune of Hospitality, Op. 15
12. The Mystery, Op. 4 No. 1
13. Meditations on a Byzantine Hymn, Op. 117 "O quando in cruce"
14. Rosa Mundi, Op. 2
15. 4 Hymns: No. 1, Lord! Come Away
16. 4 Hymns: No. 2, Who Is This Fair One?
17. 4 Hymns: No. 3, Come Love, Come Lord
18. 4 Hymns: No. 4, Evening Hymn
19. A Duan of Barra, Op. 20


In collaboration with world-class musicians pianist Steven Philcox, violinist Marie Bérard, and violist Keith Hamm tenor Lawrence Wiliford brings his acclaimed interpretive skill in song to music of early 20th century England that is beautiful, humble, and intimate. This survey of sacred songs and hymns by Gustav Holst, his pupil Edmund Rubbra, and his lifelong friend and colleague Ralph Vaughan Williams, visits the melodic and sacred themes that are common among the three composers. It devotes particular attention to Rubbras songs, which are less well known than many by his two senior colleagues. Edmund Rubbras writing draws from the modal harmonies of early sacred music and Celtic folk traditions. In addition to several songs by Rubbra, O Gladsome Light also includes Variations on a Phrygian Theme for solo violin and Meditations on a Byzantine Hymn for solo viola, two works that highlight the composers lyrical, modal style and feature the soloists Marie Bérard and Keith Hamm. Paired with Rubbra are the Holst Four Songs for voice and violin and the Vaughan Williams Four Hymns for tenor, viola and piano producing a meditative and musically satisfying program of sacred music that can be listened to during Christmas, Lent and throughout the year.

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