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Track(s) taken from CDA67330

Set me as a seal upon thine heart

composer
1938
author of text
Song of Solomon

Polyphony, Stephen Layton (conductor)
Recording details: January 2002
St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: June 2002
Total duration: 3 minutes 16 seconds
 

Other recordings available for download

St Paul's Cathedral Choir, John Scott (conductor)
Grace Davidson (soprano), Ben Alden (tenor), The Cambridge Singers, John Rutter (conductor)
Katie Matthews (soprano), Declan Corr (tenor), Jesus College Choir Cambridge, Mark Williams (conductor)

Reviews

‘An outstanding collection’ (Gramophone)

‘What a splendid work it is, especially when sung with the verve brought to it by Stephen Layton’s choir Polyphony’ (The Sunday Telegraph)

‘Performances are vibrant and energetic, and attack the scrunchy harmonies with complete accuracy’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘A wonderfully refreshing interpretation’ (The Observer)

‘This sterling collection should win Walton’s choral music many new fans’ (American Record Guide)

‘Every generation delivers an outstanding talent with the vision and commitment necessary to produce refreshingly individual, totally convincing interpretations. Stephen Layton's readings of Walton's choral music on this tremendous disc are without equal, supported by the high-octane, stylish singing of Polyphony and one of the finest recorded sounds I've heard for years. Layton sets a stately speed for the Coronation Te Deum, although the crisp brass fanfares of the Wallace Collection and articulate work from the choir convey a rare energy and exuberance. Buy it!’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘From fanfare to finale this is a very fine and fitting centenary compilation indeed’ (Organists' Review)

‘For Waltonians, this is a compulsory purchase’ (HMV Choice)

‘A great collection and an absolute winner’ (Cathedral Music)

«On trouve chez Layton, avec des chœurs d’une beauté et d’une précision étonnantes, un surcroît de chaleur et d’investissement, ce qui place ce disque en tête de la discographie» (Répertoire, France)
Walton’s musical life began as a chorister at Christ Church Oxford, and from time to time he returned to choral music, generally in response to a specific invitation or commission. Set me as a seal upon thine heart was composed in 1938 for the wedding of Ivor Guest (son of Lady Alice Wimborne, with whom Walton was close at the time) and Lady Mabel Fox-Strangways. Within its brief time-span, Walton’s setting of these aptly-chosen lines from the Song of Songs bears recognizable hallmarks of his style—intensity of mood, bitter-sweetness of harmony, and a certain melodic angularity which precludes any hint of sentimentality.

from notes by Collegium Records © 2012

Other albums featuring this work

My Beloved's Voice
Studio Master: SIGCD370Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
The English Anthem, Vol. 3
CDA66618Download only
This is the day
COLCD136Download only
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