Sir Edward Elgar and Friends

This week on Going Beyond Words and ACDA ChoralNet Radio, host Stan Schmidt gives us another look at an English composer who had a great gift of melody and was a super orchestrator.

We investigate several of the composer’s choral songs and a recent Naxos CD that features mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly in a performance of “Sea Pictures,” Op. 37. Prior to that, you will hear two songs offered by the Cambridge Singers: “My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land” and “There Is Sweet Music.” Then there are three selections from the talents of the London Symphony Chorus: “O Wild West Wind,” “The Shower,” and “The Fountain.”

The Donald Hunt Singers, from their  two-CD set called “Elgar – The Complete Choral Songs,” expose us to “Love” from Op. 18, No. 2, along with an interesting “Spanish Serenade,” Op. 23, written in 1892 for piano and two violins or a small orchestra.

The highlight of the broadcast really shows Elgar’s expertise in orchestration the piece is “Sea Pictures,” Op. 37.  This special work has five movements, which are all very beautiful, but the third movement, “Where Coral Lie,” has been described by some as one of the most remarkable three minutes in all of Elgar. The voice of Sara Connolly, who began with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, has blossomed into a vocalist that can completely enthrall any listener. As you approach the end of the school year, take a moment if you can and add this program to your listening schedule.

For a look at the CDs used and a complete list of music heard, go to the blog of WWW.GOINGBEYONDWORDS.COM website and click on show 2529.