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SOMM Recordings

Holst: Savitri; The Planets; The Perfect Fool Ballet Suite

$29.99

Details

Composer
Gustav Holst
Artist
Arda Mandikian, Peter Pears, Thomas Hemsley, English Opera Group Chorus, English Opera Group Orchest
Format
CD
Label
SOMM Recordings
Released
Aug 16, 2024
Catalog #
ARIADNE 5030-2
UPC
758871503020

About

SOMM Recordings is pleased to release this set of delightful never-before-released recordings of the music of Gustav Holst in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Here are works of grand and intimate scale, for orchestral and chamber forces, with and without singers, offering a vivid sampling of his oeuvre in meticulous restorations of recorded live performances given in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Chronologically, the earliest recordings are those on Disc 2, curated by Producer Lani Spahr. The live performances of The Perfect Fool suite and The Planets were recorded from New York's Radio City Studio in 1945 and Boston's Symphony Hall in 1946, respectively, with British conductors leading orchestras from "across the pond", where Holst had devoted much time in his later years conducting, lecturing and teaching. The recordings on Disc 1 are in various ways the result of Imogen Holst's championing of her father's music. A composer in her own right, arranger, conductor, teacher, musicologist and festival administrator, it was in the last capacity, especially, that she came to work at Benjamin Britten's side on his annual Aldeburgh Festival, becoming co-artistic director in the season of 1956. This recording of Gustav Holst's chamber opera Savitri dates from that summer and comes from the collection of Music Preserved. Nearly a decade later Imogen Holst, who by then was acclaimed for her founding and leadership of the Purcell Singers, a choir whose performances became a regular fixture at Aldeburgh, curated a series of broadcasts on BBC's Third Programme to feature works by her father and other composers. Some of the Gustav Holst pieces, like the Third Group of Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda and Hammersmith: Prelude and Scherzo for orchestra, were broadcast live from public performances at the Cheltenham Music Festival in July of 1965, Cheltenham incidentally being Gustav's birthplace. Others, like the 4 Songs for soprano and violin and The Evening-Watch for mixed chorus, must have been pre-recorded in closed sessions that summer for use later in Imogen's series of programmes. These two recordings were aired on 31 October 1965. All of the Cheltenham '65 recordings come from the collection of Stephen Crane of ARS Recorded Editions. Disc 1 has been fastidiously polished by Restoration Engineer Paul Baily. His restoration of the recent Sir Adrian Boult Conducts (ARIADNE 5024-2) was honoured with the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Records Critics' Award) in the Historical Recordings category. Restoration Engineer for Disc 2, Lani Spahr's previous SOMM releases include the lauded four-volume sets Vaughan Williams Live (ARIADNE 5016, 5018-20) and Elgar Remastered (SOMMCD 261-4), as well as two Gramophone Editor's Choice picks: Elgar from America Vol.3 (ARIADNE 5015-2) for "superb audio restorations [bringing] performances fully to life" and Bruckner from the Archives Vol.1 (ARIADNE 5025-2) for the "high standards achieved here, where expert audio restoration and remastering is by Lani Spahr".

Tracklist 35 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Sāvitri! Sāvitri! I am Death (Sāvitri, Death) 05:55
    Track
    1
    Title
    Sāvitri! Sāvitri! I am Death (Sāvitri, Death)
    Duration
    05:55
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Thomas Hemsley
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  3. 2 Greeting to thee, my loving Sāvitri! (Sāvitri, Satyavan) 00:18
    Track
    2
    Title
    Greeting to thee, my loving Sāvitri! (Sāvitri, Satyavan)
    Duration
    00:18
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Peter Pears
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  4. 3 The forest is to me a mirror wherein I see another world (Sāvitri, Satyavan, Chorus) 01:22
    Track
    3
    Title
    The forest is to me a mirror wherein I see another world (Sāvitri, Satyavan, Chorus)
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Peter Pears
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  5. 4 Love to the lover (Satvayan, Chorus) 00:44
    Track
    4
    Title
    Love to the lover (Satvayan, Chorus)
    Duration
    00:44
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Peter Pears
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  6. 5 Once I knew maya (Satyavan, Sāvitri) 01:22
    Track
    5
    Title
    Once I knew maya (Satyavan, Sāvitri)
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Peter Pears, Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  7. 6 Sāvitri, Sāvitri! Mine arm is pow'rless (Sāvitri, Satyavan) 00:35
    Track
    6
    Title
    Sāvitri, Sāvitri! Mine arm is pow'rless (Sāvitri, Satyavan)
    Duration
    00:35
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Peter Pears
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  8. 7 I am with thee; my arms are round thee (Sāvitri) 02:19
    Track
    7
    Title
    I am with thee; my arms are round thee (Sāvitri)
    Duration
    02:19
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  9. 8 Savitri! Aah! All fades! Death is at my heart! (Sāvitri, Death, Chorus) 00:55
    Track
    8
    Title
    Savitri! Aah! All fades! Death is at my heart! (Sāvitri, Death, Chorus)
    Duration
    00:55
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Thomas Hemsley
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  10. 9 Welcome, Lord! Thou art called the Just One (Sāvitri, Chorus) 01:05
    Track
    9
    Title
    Welcome, Lord! Thou art called the Just One (Sāvitri, Chorus)
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  11. 10 Thine is the holiness (Death, Chorus) 01:31
    Track
    10
    Title
    Thine is the holiness (Death, Chorus)
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Thomas Hemsley
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  12. 11 Then Enter, Lord; dwell with me! (Sāvitri, Death, Chorus) 02:20
    Track
    11
    Title
    Then Enter, Lord; dwell with me! (Sāvitri, Death, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Thomas Hemsley
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  13. 12 Stay! Grant me this boon! (Death, Sāvitri, Chorus) 03:01
    Track
    12
    Title
    Stay! Grant me this boon! (Death, Sāvitri, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Thomas Hemsley, Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  14. 13 Ah! Death, the Just One (Sāvitri, Chorus) 02:29
    Track
    13
    Title
    Ah! Death, the Just One (Sāvitri, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:29
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  15. 14 Loneliness and pain are ended (Sāvitri) 00:41
    Track
    14
    Title
    Loneliness and pain are ended (Sāvitri)
    Duration
    00:41
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  16. 15 Sāvitri! Is it thou? (Sāvitri, Satyavan, Chorus) 02:44
    Track
    15
    Title
    Sāvitri! Is it thou? (Sāvitri, Satyavan, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian, Peter Pears
    Ensemble
    English Opera Group Choir, The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  17. 16 Unto his kingdom Death wendeth alone (Death) 01:00
    Track
    16
    Title
    Unto his kingdom Death wendeth alone (Death)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Thomas Hemsley
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  18. 17 I am with thee, my arms around thee (Sāvitri) 01:35
    Track
    17
    Title
    I am with thee, my arms around thee (Sāvitri)
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Arda Mandikian
    Ensemble
    The English Opera Group Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Mackerras
  19. 18 No. 1. Hymn to the Dawn 02:20
    Track
    18
    Title
    No. 1. Hymn to the Dawn
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Michael Jeffries
    Ensemble
    Purcell Singers
    Conductor
    Imogen Holst
  20. 19 No. 2. Hymn to the Waters 02:01
    Track
    19
    Title
    No. 2. Hymn to the Waters
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Michael Jeffries
    Ensemble
    Purcell Singers
    Conductor
    Imogen Holst
  21. 20 No. 3. Hymn to Vena 04:43
    Track
    20
    Title
    No. 3. Hymn to Vena
    Duration
    04:43
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Michael Jeffries
    Ensemble
    Purcell Singers
    Conductor
    Imogen Holst
  22. 21 No. 4. Hymn of the Travellers 02:40
    Track
    21
    Title
    No. 4. Hymn of the Travellers
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Michael Jeffries
    Ensemble
    Purcell Singers
    Conductor
    Imogen Holst
  23. 22 No. 1. Jesu sweet 02:48
    Track
    22
    Title
    No. 1. Jesu sweet
    Duration
    02:48
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Honor Sheppard, Nona Liddell
  24. 23 No. 2. My soul has nought but fire and ice 01:09
    Track
    23
    Title
    No. 2. My soul has nought but fire and ice
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Honor Sheppard, Nona Liddell
  25. 24 No. 3. I sing of a maiden 01:28
    Track
    24
    Title
    No. 3. I sing of a maiden
    Duration
    01:28
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Honor Sheppard, Nona Liddell
  26. 25 No. 4. My Leman is so true 02:39
    Track
    25
    Title
    No. 4. My Leman is so true
    Duration
    02:39
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Honor Sheppard, Nona Liddell
  27. 26 The Evening-watch, Op. 43, No. 1 04:54
    Track
    26
    Title
    The Evening-watch, Op. 43, No. 1
    Duration
    04:54
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Performer
    Pauline Stevens, Ian Partridge
    Ensemble
    Purcell Singers
    Conductor
    Imogen Holst
  28. 27 Hammersmith, Op. 52 (version for orchestra) 14:45
    Track
    27
    Title
    Hammersmith, Op. 52 (version for orchestra)
    Duration
    14:45
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Norman Del Mar
  29. Disc 2
  30. 1 The Perfect Fool, Op. 39 10:30
    Track
    1
    Title
    The Perfect Fool, Op. 39
    Duration
    10:30
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    NBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Sir Malcolm Sargent
  31. 2 I. Mars, the Bringer of War 06:54
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. Mars, the Bringer of War
    Duration
    06:54
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  32. 3 II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace 08:27
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
    Duration
    08:27
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  33. 4 III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger 03:28
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger
    Duration
    03:28
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  34. 5 IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity 07:32
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
    Duration
    07:32
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  35. 6 V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age 08:31
    Track
    6
    Title
    V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
    Duration
    08:31
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  36. 7 VI. Uranus, the Magician 05:53
    Track
    7
    Title
    VI. Uranus, the Magician
    Duration
    05:53
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  37. 8 VII. Neptune, the Mystic 07:30
    Track
    8
    Title
    VII. Neptune, the Mystic
    Duration
    07:30
    Composer
    Gustav Holst
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Chorus, Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult