Hodie / Fantasia on Christmas Carols
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Music CD Cover
Performer: John BarrowPerformer: John Shirley-Quirk
Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor: Barry Rose
Conductor: David Willcocks
Performer: Janet Baker
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Performer: Gavin Williams
Performer: Philip Ledger
Performer: Richard Lewis
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2000-11-07
Music Label: EMI Classics
Soundtracks:
- Fant On Christmas Carols: This Is The Truth Sent From Above- - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
- Fant On Christmas Carols: Come All You Worthy Gentlemen- - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
- Fant On Christmas Carols: On Christmas Night All Christians Sing- - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
- Fant On Christmas Carols: God Bless The Ruler Of This House - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
- Hodie: I. Prologue: Nowell! Nowell!
- Hodie: II. Narration: Now The Birth Of Jesus Christ-
- Hodie: III. Song: It Was The Winter Wild
- Hodie: IV. Narration: And It Came To Pass In Those Days
- Hodie: V. Choral: The Blessed Son Of God
- Hodie: VI. Narration: And There Were In The Same Country
- Hodie: VII. Song: The Oxen (Christmas Eve, And Twelve Of The Clock)
- Hodie: VIII. Narration: And The Shepherds Returned
- Hodie: IX. Pastoral: The Shepherds Sing
- Hodie: X. Narration: But Mary Kept All These Things
- Hodie: XI. Lullaby: Sweet Was The Song The Virgin Sang
- Hodie: XII. Hymn: Bright Portals Of The Sky
- Hodie: XIII. Narration: Now When Jesus Was Born
- Hodie: XIV. The March Of The Three Kings: From Kingdoms Of Wisdom-
- Hodie: XV. Choral: No Sad Thought His Soul Affright
- Hodie: XVI. Epilogue: In The Beginning Was The Word
Free Music Notes for Hodie / Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Free Music Review: a voice teacher and early music fan
Hit: 5 Stars
TWO SEPARATE RECORDING SESSIONS, DIFFERENT PERFORMING GROUPS= 1965, DAVID WILLCOCKS - 1966, BARRY ROSE. BOTH FIRST CLASS!
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) loved 'the lilt of the chorus at the music hall... children dancing to a barrel organ...the rousing fervor of a Salvation Army Hymn...St. Paul's and a great choir singing in one of the festivals'. Indeed, both of these compositions were written and performed first at Festivals: the 'Fantasia' first at the Three Choirs Festival at Hereford in 1912, and the 'Hodie' first performed at the same festival but in 1954.
Although Vaughan Williams wrote this originally for soloist, mixed chorus , full orchestra and organ, in this version (he wrote several varied combinations to suit smaller performance groups)we have a soloist, mixed chorus, string orchestra and organ. The work is founded on four traditional English carols: 'This is the truth sent from above'; 'Come all you worthy gentleman'; 'On Christmas night all Christians sing';'God Bless the ruler of this house'. Not quite in the same league as 'Hodie', the Fantasy is a charming and moving work, and Barry Rose (conductor) and John Barrow (skilled baritone), and the Choir of Guilford Cathedral make a good case for it. Quite enjoyable to hear! The carols are not obsecure, but I would think familiar to many listeners, if not all.
Vaughan Williams's 'Hodie' (This Day) is a very clever mosaic of musical styles and referred to as a cantata, oratorio etc. depending upon the source. Suffice it to say that it is an 'anthology' work, the texts taken in this case from the Bible, Milton and Thomas Hardy, skillfully selected to mirror the Christmas theme and the varied aspects of V.William's personal style. It is a gripping blend of mysticism, celestial glory and human expectations and desires, the result of which imbues 'Hodie' with a flowing vitality and creativity. The 'oratorio' is linked together by narration of the Nativity from the Gospels by boy choristers, accompanied by organ - a compositional device used by Bach in his Passions, for which V.W. had a great love.
The London Symphony Orchestra and Bach Choir give their all and make the music leap from the speakers in the more bounding sections, and playing and singing with all due reverence in the quieter ones. The delicacy Willcocks brings to the score allows the listener to hear the layers of orchestral detail, showing the work to be quite inventive.
The Choristers of Westminster Abbey and organist Sir Philip Ledger are outstanding in their contribution. The boys sing the narratives with a pure, beatific tone and display a musical maturity beyond their years, which, I might add is typical of British Cathedral choirs. Ledger does not at anytime overwhelm them, using just the right amount of tone without ever becoming inaudible - a near-unearthly balancing act!
The soloists are a director's 'dream team': Richard Lewis (tenor) is haunting as the angel in the first narration and captures the mystic quality in the third narration; Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) renders all her solos with her usual sturdy, clear and resonant sound, and captures the darker twists and turns in "It was the winter wild". I had some minor difficulty in understanding some of her words, but only for brief instances. She sings a very touching 'Lullaby'. John Shirley-Quick is quietly stunning throughout his solo parts. His deep and beefy tone is a perfect fit for 'The Oxen'.
Recorded in 1965, it shows Willcock's great affection and all involved for this work. The sound is incredibly good in its digital remastering. This recording has power and clarity, but also a translucence and an unearthly feel for the undercurrents underlying V.W.'s music, which Willcocks apparently was able to bring to the surface.
Just a listening experience you don't want to miss, and an inspirational experience for the Christmas season and perhaps continuously. Good liner notes and text included.
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