From: rtut@troi.cc.rochester.edu (Raymond Tuttle)
Subject: Herbert Howells, Westminster Choir - new CDs (review)
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 00:40:46 GMT

Herbert Howells (1892-1983) was one of the most important English
composers of liturgical music in the 20th century, although this
statement may seem like damning with faint praise by those who find
this genre as interesting as weak tea with milk.  Composers such as
Britten and Walton are judged to be superior to Howells because of the
scope of their work, but it shouldn't be a mark against Howells that he
knew his niche and, for the most part, stuck with it.  The results are
sensuous and original, and they also travel well.  No weak tea here. 

A new Argo CD, "A Celebration of Howells" (430 205) contains more
than 78 minutes of Howells' shorter works.  The seraphic "Hymnus
Paradisi" is not on this disc, but it does include "Take him, earth, for
cherishing," an almost painfully beautiful work written after the
assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  Most of the works on this
disc are for chorus and organ, but two organ solos demonstrate that
Howells was equally comfortable writing for this instrument alone. 

The performances are by King's College Choir, Cambridge under the
direction of Stephen Cleobury, who also plays the two organ solos. 
Frankly, this is one of the most beautiful choral discs that I have heard
in some time.  The choir's tone is as bright and its musicianship is as
stunning as it has always been, and here the performances have the
added advantage of a luscious recording made in the King's College
chapel.  Hearing the clear, brilliant voices of the choir's boys soar
through the chapel in this often ecstatic music is an exalting
experience that even non-believers will feel in their souls.  Even though
none of the selections are intended for the Christmas season, this disc
would make a wonderful gift and would be especially welcome in any
musically-sensitive home over the holidays, and all year long. 

Another excellent new choral disc comes from Chesky Records, who
have recorded New York City's Westminster Choir (Joseph Flummerfelt,
director) in 16 well-chosen selections spanning two continents and
several centuries (CD83). 

The disc's title, "O Magnum Mysterium" comes from the three settings
of this text (Victoria, Poulenc and Maxwell Davies) that are presented
back-to-back on this disc.  The disc also compares settings of the "Ave
Verum Corpus" (Byrd and Mozart) and the "Ave Maria" (Verdi, Bruckner
and Stravinsky).  Works by Britten, Foss and Parry also are included.   

The Westminster Choir is relatively small (27 choristers are listed on
this recording), so big, overwhelming walls of sound should not be
expected.  The results are intimate, well-disciplined and utterly
heartfelt.  Having put up with too many stadium-sized versions of
Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus," it was a relief to hear it presented with a
feeling of real devotion and innigkeit.  

Chesky recorded the Westminster Choir in the Church of St. Mary's The
Virgin (New York City) just this summer, and it is interesting to
compare this recording to the Howells disc.   The feeling of being in a
church is much stronger on  Argo although Chesky doesn't sacrifice
warmth for clarity in their recording.  Chesky's program notes show a
maturity that they have sometimes lacked in the past.  With this and
the two Kipnis discs released at about the same time, Chesky seems to
be changing their image; no longer content to be just an audiophile
label, musical and production values seem to be coming up to the same
high level. 




--
****************************************   Raymond S. Tuttle
"Dunkel ist das Leben, ist der Tod,"       University of Rochester
but it's nothing to get depressed about!   (still with his two little 
****************************************   white mice).