Monday, May 6, 2013

'The Music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor' from Heritage Records uses remastered historic recordings made by various ensembles as early as 1932


Heritage HTGCD 249 (2013)

[Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List and a Bibliography by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com. We are collaborating with the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Foundation of the U.K., www.SCTF.org.uk]

The new recording from Heritage Records is now available from selected retailers such as HBDirect.com and Presto Classical, whose link to the recording is:

Hiawatha's Wedding Feast consists of Tracks 1-9.  It is performed by the Royal Choral Society, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Richard Lewis (tenor).  Sir Malcolm Sargent conducts.  The recording was first published in 1962, according to the back cover of the CD.

Othello Suite, Op. 79 is on Tracks 10-14: Dance, Children's Intermezzo, Funeral March, Willow Song and Military March.  The New Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent.  The performance was recorded in 1932.

Petite Suite de Concert, Op. 77 has four movements: Le Caprice de Nanette, Demande et Réponse, Un Sonnet d'Amour, and La Tarantelle Frétillante.  Sir Dan Godfrey conducts the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in a 1933 recording.

Four Characteristic Valses, Op. 22 has these movements: Valse Bohémienne, Valse Rustique, Valse de la Reine and Valse Mauresque.  The New Light Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Ainslie Murray.  The date of the recording is 1935.

We are delighted to finally have the recording.  On first hearing, we enjoyed the audio quality of both vocal and instrumental tracks of the CD.  The liner notes are by Gavin Dixon.  Coming on the heels of the Longfellow Chorus production, the disc contributes to a fuller picture of the works of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

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