Still, R Chamber Works and Songs
An enterprising tribute to an unjustly forgotten figure
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Robert Still
Genre:
Vocal
Label: JMS
Magazine Review Date: 7/2006
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 72
Mastering:
Mono
ADD
Catalogue Number: JMSCD8
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Quintet |
Robert Still, Composer
Francisco Gabarro, Cello Geoffrey Gilbert, Flute George Crozier, Flute Jean Pougnet, Violin Lionel Solomon, Flute Robert Still, Composer |
Sonata for Viola and Piano No 2 |
Robert Still, Composer
Eric Harrison, Piano Frederick Riddle, Viola Robert Still, Composer |
(A) Song of Pain and Beauty |
Robert Still, Composer
Heather Harper, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
(from) Ode to a Skylark, 'Hail to thee, blithe spirit!' |
Robert Still, Composer
Heather Harper, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
(The) Kingfisher |
Robert Still, Composer
Heather Harper, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
When I am dead, my dearest |
Robert Still, Composer
Heather Harper, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Sister awake! |
Robert Still, Composer
Heather Harper, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Song of the Sirens |
Robert Still, Composer
Heather Harper, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Sonnet, 'Bright Star' |
Robert Still, Composer
John Carol Case, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
August |
Robert Still, Composer
John Carol Case, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Beauty Bathing |
Robert Still, Composer
John Carol Case, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Awaiting Execution |
Robert Still, Composer
John Carol Case, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
To Julia |
Robert Still, Composer
John Carol Case, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Sunset on the Morea |
Robert Still, Composer
John Carol Case, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
(The) Sea hath many Thousand Sands |
Robert Still, Composer
Jessica Cash, Soprano John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Shall I, Wasting in Despair? |
Robert Still, Composer
Gordon Clinton, Baritone John Russell, Piano Robert Still, Composer |
Author: Andrew Achenbach
London-born Robert Still (1910-71) originally studied History and French at Oxford before switching to Music and studying under Gordon Jacob at the RCM. After a spell teaching at Eton, he was conscripted in 1940, becoming conductor, arranger and composer of the Royal Artillery’s travelling orchestra (other colleagues performing music to the troops included Cecil Aronowitz and Manoug Parikian). After the war, Still settled in Berkshire and penned a stream of civilised and sensitive compositions (many unpublished), one of which, his Third Symphony, was submitted for a Doctorate of Music from Oxford University in 1963. A much-loved teacher, the self-effacing Still was only 60 when he suffered a fatal heart attack.
As you can see from the line-up of artists, Still’s music by no means lacked high-class advocacy, so it’s a shame that the transfers of these mono tapes from the 1950s (both the Quintet and Sonata originally appeared on the fledgling Argo label) are uneven to say the least. In the two purely instrumental offerings background noise has been completely banished but at the expense of truthfulness of timbre (the discoloration at the start of the Quintet beggars belief). Fortunately the very fine songs fall rather more gratefully on the ear (the idiom here is altogether less astringent, more generously lyrical) and presentation is beyond reproach, with full texts as well as knowledgeable and informative annotations from Deryck Cooke and the composer’s widow Elizabeth. Who knows, perhaps one day Lyrita might be persuaded to disinter its trusty recordings of Still’s Third and Fourth symphonies under Sir Eugene Goossens and Myer Fredman respectively.
As you can see from the line-up of artists, Still’s music by no means lacked high-class advocacy, so it’s a shame that the transfers of these mono tapes from the 1950s (both the Quintet and Sonata originally appeared on the fledgling Argo label) are uneven to say the least. In the two purely instrumental offerings background noise has been completely banished but at the expense of truthfulness of timbre (the discoloration at the start of the Quintet beggars belief). Fortunately the very fine songs fall rather more gratefully on the ear (the idiom here is altogether less astringent, more generously lyrical) and presentation is beyond reproach, with full texts as well as knowledgeable and informative annotations from Deryck Cooke and the composer’s widow Elizabeth. Who knows, perhaps one day Lyrita might be persuaded to disinter its trusty recordings of Still’s Third and Fourth symphonies under Sir Eugene Goossens and Myer Fredman respectively.
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