Notes and Editorial Reviews
This enthralling five-CD conspectus opens with the symphony that established Bliss’s name in 1922 and goes on to survey his ballet, film, chamber and vocal music in authoritative recordings, many of them attended and endorsed by the composer. The final disc shows Bliss as unmatched conductor of his own music, from the occasional prelude for the 900th anniversary of Westminster Abbey to a real rarity: Dame Joan Sutherland’s first studio recording, the Song of Welcome for the young Queen Elizabeth II.
This enthralling five-CD conspectus opens with the symphony that established Bliss’s name in 1922 and goes on to survey his ballet, film, chamber and vocal music in authoritative recordings, many of them attended and endorsed by the composer. The final disc shows Bliss as unmatched conductor of his own music, from the occasional prelude for the 900th anniversary of Westminster Abbey to a real rarity: Dame Joan Sutherland’s first studio recording, the Song of Welcome for the young Queen Elizabeth II. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Things to Come, F 131 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Charles Groves
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1934-1935; England
2.
Discourse, F 113 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Vernon Handley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957/1965; England
3.
Concerto for Cello, F 107 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Performer:
Arto Noras (Cello)
Conductor:
Paavo Berglund
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1970; England
4.
Concerto for 2 Pianos, F 110 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Malcolm Arnold
Orchestra/Ensemble:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924/1950; England
5.
Christopher Columbus: Suite by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Marcus Dods
Orchestra/Ensemble:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1949
6.
Checkmate, F 2: Suite by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Vernon Handley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1937; England
7.
Adam Zero, F 1 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Vernon Handley
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1946; England
8.
A Colour Symphony, F 106 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Charles Groves
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1922/1932; England
9.
Quintet for Oboe and Strings, F 21 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Melos Ensemble London
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1927; England
10.
Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, F 20 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Melos Ensemble London
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; England
11.
Conversations, F 16: no 1, The Committee Meeting by Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Melos Ensemble London
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
12.
Conversations, F 16: no 5, In the Tube at Oxford Circus by Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Melos Ensemble London
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
13.
Welcome the Queen, F 95 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1954; England
14.
Music for Strings, F 123 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Adrian Boult
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1935; England
15.
Miracle in the Gorbals, F 6 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944; England
16.
Lie Strewn the White Flocks, F 33 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Performer:
Sybil Michelow (Mezzo Soprano),
Norman Knight (Flute)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1928; England
17.
Ceremonial Prelude by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
18.
A Knot of Riddles, F 159 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Performer:
John Shirley-Quirk (Baritone)
Conductor:
Wyn Morris
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1963; England
19.
A Song of Welcome by Sir Arthur Bliss
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
John Cameron (Baritone)
Conductor:
Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
20.
Music for Strings, F 123 by Sir Arthur Bliss
Conductor:
Sir Arthur Bliss
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1935; England
Sound Samples
A Colour Symphony: I. Purple (Andante maestoso)
A Colour Symphony: II. Red (Allegro vivace)
A Colour Symphony: III. Blue (Gently flowing)
A Colour Symphony: IV. Green (Moderato)
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): Prologue (orch. Christopher Palmer)
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): Ballet for Children*
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): Attack*
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): March*
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): The World in Ruins (orch. Christopher Palmer)
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): The Building of the New World -
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): Attack on the Moon Gun -
Things to Come - Music from the film (1977 Digital Remaster): Epilogue
Cello Concerto: I. Allegro deciso
Cello Concerto: II. Larghetto
Cello Concerto: III. Allegro
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Fanfare Overture (Allegro molto)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Adam's Fates (Allegro moderato) -
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Dance of Spring (Allegro spirito)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Awakening of Love (Andante grazioso)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Bridal Ceremony (Moderato ma tranquillo)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Dance of Summer (Allegro (maestoso))
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Approach to Autumn (Larghetto)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Night Club Scene (Allegro (in modern dance time)) -
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Destruction of Adam's World (Allegro molto)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Dance with Death (Larghetto maestoso)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Finale: The stage is set again (Allegro moderato)
Adam Zero - Suite from the ballet: Fanfare Coda (Allegro molto)
Concerto for two pianos (arr. three hands): Allegro giusto -
Concerto for two pianos (arr. three hands): Larghetto tranquillo -
Concerto for two pianos (arr. three hands): Allegro
Christopher Columbus - Suite: I. Alla polacca
Christopher Columbus - Suite: II. Grave
Christopher Columbus - Suite: III. Alla marcia
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Music is Bliss! May 29, 2012
By L. Albert (San Diego, CA) See All My Reviews
"This album of 5 CDs is absolutely a winner. Bliss wrote 20th Century English music. He was not as famous, but he was definitely an equal, as Britten and as a result was lost to Britten. Every lover of classical music, it is a MUST. "
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