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 01. Sonoro "Canticle of the sun"
Four poems of Mary Coleridge 02. Bicknell, Katherine "Thistledown 1" 03. Bicknell, Katherine "Nocturne 1" 04. Bicknell, Katherine "Nocturne" 05. Bicknell, Katherine "Thistledown 2"
'Tis almost one 06. Higgins, Michael "Evening hymn" 07. Higgins, Michael "Cock-Crow" 08. Higgins, Michael "Weigh me the fire" 09. Higgins, Michael "Thanksgiving" 10. Higgins, Michael "The bell-man" 11. Sonoro "Winter" 12. Sonoro "Lullaby" 13. Sonoro "All bells in paradise"
Lines from Hal Summers 14. Sonoro "Darkness is broken" 15. Sonoro "Riotous voices" 16. Sonoro "Sing for ever"
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| | Description: | SOMM Recordings announces Canticle of the Sun, an album dedicated to choral works by Stephen Dodgson. This recording adds to SOMM's growing discography of music by this unjustly neglected and richly deserving British composer (the label last year launched an ongoing three-volume series embracing Dodgson's rich and varied output of songs) on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.The performances are given by the chamber choir Sonoro, one of the UK's foremost vocal ensembles. Described as "outstandingly refreshing" (BBC Music Magazine) and "abundant in vibrant colour" (The Guardian), they are tonally immaculate and technically astounding in Dodgson's tuneful, yet challenging choral writing. They are joined in one work by Michael Higgins at the organ and in another by Katherine Bicknell on flute, while the remaining pieces feature the choir in stunning a cappella with soloists drawn from the choir throughout, and the entire programme is led by conductor and Co-Artistic Director of Sonoro Neil Ferris.The selection of works, all of them first recordings, reveals in Dodgson a genuine composer for voices - one of abundant gifts, and special among them a sensitive approach to word-setting. The album's titular piece, Canticle of the Sun (2008), one of Dodgson's last vocal compositions, sets a text by the prolific English poet John Heath-Stubbs (1918-2006). The cantata Four Poems of Mary Coleridge (1987) sets the texts for the unusual and striking combination of mixed voices and solo flute, played by Katherine Bicknell, a flautist of "sumptuous tone" (The Straits Times, Singapore) and "striking musical ability" (MusicWeb). Incredibly effective throughout, the contrast between voices and flute is particularly evocative in the wonderfully dark "Nocturne I: (The Fire, the Lamp and I)", with it's interplay between almost recitative-like flute and solo bass interspersed with choir playing the characters of the fire and lamp.'Tis Almost One (1984), is a short cantata for mixed voices and organ to words by Robert Herrick (1591-1674). The organ accompaniment is provided by pianist, organist, composer and arranger, and Co-Artistic Director of Sonoro Michael Higgins.Following three undated but likely quite early shorter works for a cappella upper voices on anonymous texts (Winter, Lullaby and All Bells in Paradise), the programme concludes with Lines from Hal Summers, a setting for unaccompanied mixed choir. Dodgson chose three poems from Smoke After Flame (1944) by the English poet Henry (known as Hal) Summers (1911-2005), excerpting from them and setting to music carefully selected lines, as referenced by the title. It is difficult not to feel the growing sense of expected war-time victory in these texts - the music reflecting an unstated hopefulness for peace and rebirth.This recording is supported by the Stephen Dodgson Charitable Trust.Canticle of the Sun by Sonoro is a captivating choral CD released under the distinguished Somm label. This album showcases Sonoro?s signature blend of radiant harmonies and expressive musicality, featuring contemporary and traditional works inspired by themes of nature, spirituality, and renewal. The centerpiece is James MacMillan?s evocative ?Canticle of the Sun,? complemented by pieces from composers such as Ola Gjeilo and Bob Chilcott. Sonoro has quickly established itself as one of Britain?s leading chamber choirs since its founding in 2016, acclaimed for their warm tone and innovative programming. Their previous recordings have received critical praise across Europe for both technical excellence and emotional depth. Somm Recordings is renowned for championing exceptional classical artists with high-quality productions that bring fresh perspectives to well-loved repertoire. | | | Manufacturer No.: |
SOMMCD0686 |
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