Delius/Grainger Choral Songs
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Frederick Delius
Magazine Review Date: 4/1988
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CFC162
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Midsummer Song |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| On Craig Dhu (An impression of nature) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| To be sung of a summer night on the water |
Frederick Delius, Composer
Charles Daniels, Tenor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (The) Splendour falls on castle walls |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Durch den Wald (wds. von Schreck) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Sonnenscheinlied (wds. B. Björnsen) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Frühlingsanbruck (wds. B. Björnsen) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Brigg Fair |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer Charles Daniels, Tenor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: Morning song in the jungle (chorus. 1905) |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: Danny Deever (male vv, orch/bar, male vv, pf. 1903 |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: The Peora hunt (chorus, var acc. 1901-6) |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Skye Boat Song |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Shallow Brown |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus David Nettle, Piano Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Irish Tune from County Derry |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Australian Up-country Song |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Six dukes went afishin' |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Colin Lilley, Flute Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| There was a pig went out to dig |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (The) Lost lady found |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
Composer or Director: (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Frederick Delius
Magazine Review Date: 4/1988
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 54
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CDCF162
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Midsummer Song |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| On Craig Dhu (An impression of nature) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| To be sung of a summer night on the water |
Frederick Delius, Composer
Charles Daniels, Tenor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (The) Splendour falls on castle walls |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Durch den Wald (wds. von Schreck) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Sonnenscheinlied (wds. B. Björnsen) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Frühlingsanbruck (wds. B. Björnsen) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Brigg Fair |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer Charles Daniels, Tenor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: Morning song in the jungle (chorus. 1905) |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: Danny Deever (male vv, orch/bar, male vv, pf. 1903 |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: The Peora hunt (chorus, var acc. 1901-6) |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Skye Boat Song |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Shallow Brown |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus David Nettle, Piano Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Irish Tune from County Derry |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Australian Up-country Song |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Six dukes went afishin' |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Colin Lilley, Flute Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| There was a pig went out to dig |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (The) Lost lady found |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
Composer or Director: (George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Frederick Delius
Magazine Review Date: 4/1988
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: MCFC162
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Midsummer Song |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| On Craig Dhu (An impression of nature) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| To be sung of a summer night on the water |
Frederick Delius, Composer
Charles Daniels, Tenor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (The) Splendour falls on castle walls |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Durch den Wald (wds. von Schreck) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Sonnenscheinlied (wds. B. Björnsen) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (6) Partsongs, Movement: Frühlingsanbruck (wds. B. Björnsen) |
Frederick Delius, Composer
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Frederick Delius, Composer Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Brigg Fair |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer Charles Daniels, Tenor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: Morning song in the jungle (chorus. 1905) |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: Danny Deever (male vv, orch/bar, male vv, pf. 1903 |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Rudyard Kipling Settings, Movement: The Peora hunt (chorus, var acc. 1901-6) |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Peter King, Harmonium Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Skye Boat Song |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Shallow Brown |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus David Nettle, Piano Patrick Wheatley, Baritone Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Irish Tune from County Derry |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Australian Up-country Song |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| Six dukes went afishin' |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Colin Lilley, Flute Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| There was a pig went out to dig |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Simon Halsey, Conductor |
| (The) Lost lady found |
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer
(George) Percy (Aldridge) Grainger, Composer City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus Richard Markham, Piano Simon Halsey, Conductor |
Author: Michael Oliver
Many of the pieces here are not choral songs but part-songs, latter-day madrigals or glees, and the distinction is quite important. If Grainger had envisaged his setting of Six dukes went afishin' being sung by a substantial chorus he would surely have given it an accompaniment rather more robust than a single flute (in this recording, in order for it to be audible at all, it has to be placed about half a mile in front of the singers). Another disadvantage of using the dense and inevitably portentous sound of a chorus in some of the pieces collected here is the contrast set up between means and substance: with a group of four or at the most eight singers, Delius's German part-songs might have a certain old-fashioned charm, but sung by three- or fourscore voices they seem very slight indeed, and hardly worth the trouble expended on them. Delius's occasionally cloth-eared word-setting (how could he, in The splendour falls, have set the word ''cataract'' with an accent on the final syllable? And as for ''O hark, O hear, how thin and clear'', why, he never wrote anything thin and clear in his life) is also emphasized when massed voices are carefully enunciating; solo singers could have glossed over it a little.
However, a good few of the Grainger pieces go rather well on a full-sized chorus, and they are fortunately the best music here and take up the greater part of the record (though I personally find Grainger in his campfire vein, as in the strenuously demotic Danny Deever, rather hard to take). Sometimes he copies Delius's habit of decking a simple tune (his own or a folk-song) with harmonies so rich that the poor thing collapses under them, but he is more often concerned to set the melody in relief against a lush background. Shallow Brown is a haunting example of this (though a generation of pianists must have cursed Grainger for his wrist-breaking non-stop tremolandos); the Irish Tune from County Derry (otherwise the Londonderry Air) is strong enough to support any amount of harmonic overlay, he keeps matters relatively simple for the tenderly lyricalAustralian Up-country song (which sounds distinctly up-country Irish to me) and adds no more than an evocative rocking accompaniment to the Skye boat song (a very full choral sound at the end: I had not realized that the quinquereme had reached the Hebrides). The lost lady found will scare you out of your wits if you are not careful: Grainger requires his singers to stamp their feet vigorously at one point, and as this thunderous sound emerged from an otherwise discreetly recessed recording (I listened to the CD) I thought the roof had fallen in.
The recessing of the chorus is not only emphasized by foot-stamping and by the spotlit flautist, but whenever a soloist is involved: the chorus is set in a somewhat cathedral-sounding acoustic. But they are fine and very accurate singers, with a touch of whiteness among the sopranos and a certain rawness to the tenors adding, if anything, to the impression of youth and enthusiasm.'
However, a good few of the Grainger pieces go rather well on a full-sized chorus, and they are fortunately the best music here and take up the greater part of the record (though I personally find Grainger in his campfire vein, as in the strenuously demotic Danny Deever, rather hard to take). Sometimes he copies Delius's habit of decking a simple tune (his own or a folk-song) with harmonies so rich that the poor thing collapses under them, but he is more often concerned to set the melody in relief against a lush background. Shallow Brown is a haunting example of this (though a generation of pianists must have cursed Grainger for his wrist-breaking non-stop tremolandos); the Irish Tune from County Derry (otherwise the Londonderry Air) is strong enough to support any amount of harmonic overlay, he keeps matters relatively simple for the tenderly lyrical
The recessing of the chorus is not only emphasized by foot-stamping and by the spotlit flautist, but whenever a soloist is involved: the chorus is set in a somewhat cathedral-sounding acoustic. But they are fine and very accurate singers, with a touch of whiteness among the sopranos and a certain rawness to the tenors adding, if anything, to the impression of youth and enthusiasm.'
Delius/Grainger Choral Songs
Delius/Grainger Choral Songs
Delius/Grainger Choral Songs
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.