Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

Hyperion offers both CDs, and downloads in a number of formats. The site is also available in several languages.

Please use the dropdown buttons to set your preferred options, or use the checkbox to accept the defaults.

Click cover art to view larger version
Track(s) taken from CDA66271/2

The Herald

First line:
A grim old king
composer
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
1925
author of text
Alexander Smith (?1830-1867)

The Donald Hunt Singers, Donald Hunt (conductor)
Recording details: March 1987
The Chapter House, Worcester Cathedral, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Antony Howell
Release date: December 1987
Total duration: 4 minutes 4 seconds

Cover artwork: Broadheath (Elgar's birthplace). David Birtwhistle
 

Other recordings available for download

London Symphony Chorus, Stephen Westrop (chorus master), Vernon Handley (conductor)

Reviews

‘Another invaluable issue from Hyperion’ (Music and Musicians)
Dark hues characterize The Herald, a mixed-voice song brought out by Elkin, about a ‘grim old king’ going to his death, having ‘won a rich kingdom’, but now ‘in the sunset he was ebbing fast’. One wonders to what extent the world-weary composer, who had ruled the English musical kingdom some fifteen years earlier, was picturing himself in these words.

from notes by Geoffrey Hodgkins © 1998

Other albums featuring this work

Elgar: Choral Songs
London Symphony Chorus, Vernon Handley (conductor), Stephen Westrop (chorus master)
CDA67019Download only

[Return to top of page]

Waiting for content to load...
Waiting for content to load...