Choral Music on Record

This 1991 book presents detailed discussion by well-known critics and writers of every recording of selected major choral works.

Alan Blyth (Edited by)

9780521363099, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 March 1991

318 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.64 kg

"Alan Blyth's surveys of recorded literature have become indispensable overviews of major works....This is a valuable reference and will surely be consulted as often as Blyth's earlier guides." American Record Guide

Following the successful volumes of Song on Record, this 1991 book surveys all the recordings of major choral works from the Monteverdi Vespers to Britten's War Requiem. Discussion of the various interpretations on record is preceded, in each chapter, by informed criticism of the work concerned, including - where appropriate - a clarification of editions, revisions, etc. (all the many changes in Messiah are, for instance, described in detail). The coverage of recordings is exhaustive and its value is enhanced by detailed discographies, with numbers of each recording. Each contributor is an authority within his or her specialist area and, collectively, their insights and observations make the book invaluable to record collectors, music lovers and all with an interest in changing tastes and styles of musical performance.

Preface
1. Monteverdi: Vespers (1610) David Fallows
2. J. S. Bach: St John Passion Teri Noel Towe
3. J. S. Bach: St Matthew Passion Teri Noel Towe
4. J. S. Bach: Mass in B Minor Teri Noel Towe
5. Handel: Messiah Teri Noel Towe
6. Mozart: Requiem Mass Ingrid Grimes
7. Haydn: The Creation Peter Branscombe
8. Haydn: The Seasons David Cairns
9. Beethoven: Missa Solemnis John Steane
10. Mendelssohn: Elijah Alan Blyth
11. Rossini: Stabat mater and Petite messe solonnelle Richard Osborne
12. Berlioz: Grande Messe des Morts, Te Deum and L'Enfance du Christ David Cairns
13. Verdi: Requiem Mass Alan Blyth
14. Brahms: A German Requiem John Steane
15. Faure: Requiem Michael Oliver
16. Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius Alan Blyth
17. Walton: Belshazzar's Feast, Britten: War Requiem and Tippett: A Child of our Time Michael Kennedy
18. Stravinsky: The Wedding and Symphony of Psalms Paul Griffiths
19. Janacek: Glagolitic Mass David Murray
Discographies
Index.

Subject Areas: Western "classical" music [AVGC]