CDH55170 - Disc 1 Track 1 - Two Psalms, H117 - Hyperion Records

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Two Psalms, H117

First line:

To my humble supplication

composer

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

1912

Introduction
English

Holst’s Two Psalms, for chorus, string orchestra and organ, H117, were written in 1912 at a time when the composer’s compositional style was undergoing a process of textural and structural refinement. He had recently completed the last of his Sanskrit works, The Cloud Messenger, which had been a complete failure, although his next major composition was to prove extremely successful—the symphonic picture ‘Mars’ for The Planets. Holst composed very little religious music as such, probably as a result of his somewhat ambivalent attitude towards the Church. He found the spiritual aspect enormously appealing, but felt stifled by regimented orthodoxy. Of the current two Psalm settings, that of Psalm 86 is the more striking with its greater textural variety and emotional range, though the beautiful setting of Psalm 148 has a compensating warmth of expression that is rarely found in Holst’s music.

Recordings

Holst: The Evening Watch & other choral works

Holst Singers, Hilary Davan Wetton (conductor)

CDH55170

‘The performances here are wonderfully responsive. The individual voices seem perfectly attuned to the special colouring of Holst's music’ (Gramophone)» More

Allegri: Miserere

Tenebrae, Nigel Short (conductor)

Studio Master: SIGCD085Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Allegri's haunting Miserere is the central point in a journey through music of longing and entreaty, hope and faith. These works spanning the centuries are chosen from the heart of Tenebrae's concert repertoire. The present album contains works by ...» More

Anthem

Huddersfield Choral Society, Aidan Oliver (conductor), Thomas Trotter (organ)

Studio Master: SIGCD465Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Founded in 1836, the Huddersfield Choral Society has developed an international reputation as one of the UK’s leading choral societies. This new recording features works that remain central to the choir's musical heritage: music by Handel, Elgar, ...» More