- Audio CD (1 Aug 1994)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: EMI Classical
- ASIN: B0000241EC
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 147,135 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a fine choral work by Elgar and any choir wanting a challenge to express great feeling in their singing would be encouraged to study the words and music, both are great. This is a magnificent composition which poses a great challenge for any choir wishing to seriously attempt singing it.The choir is required to attempt the difficult task of trying to create an evolving scene of sadness, the anticipation of horror and the courage of the brave princess in the first part. The mood then changes when St. George appears on the scene, picture the exciting sound of the hoofbeats as he arrives before a crowd which then try to dissuade him from the supposedly impossible task of fighting the dragon. Then the battle commences, feel the tenseness as you listen and see the brave knight fighting the dragon and finally defeating it. The last movement should be sung regularly in our schools, on the radio, TV and perhaps even in Parliament, not just as a nationalist composition but to remind us that although St. George is based on legend, his spirit of perseverance and braveness have been qualities of the British nation for many years and we should be encouraged to keep that reputation of defending the weak and the oppressed not by sword, but by the use of good moral and ethical government and the attituse and behaviour of our citizens.
Although the audio recording quality is good, the choir does not manage to make the words paint that traumatic picture which Elgar intended. The feeling and atmosphere are a like the view of a marvellous landscape on a misty day, with the words occasionally not being as clear as they might be; partly due to the Orchestra and Choir not listening to each other. Agreed, this may be the conductors fault allowing the choir at times to be blotted out by the exhuberance of the orchestra who appear to have a greater understanding of the music and atmosphere Elgar tried to create.
However critical this review may sound, it should not put off anyone wishing to listen to a great piece of choral music, which would challenge even the best of choirs and orchestras! It is a CD which is certainly worth listening to, but have the score in front of you so that you may follow the words and appreciate the great atmosphere Elgar has painted.
Although the audio recording quality is good, the choir does not manage to make the words paint that traumatic picture which Elgar intended. The feeling and atmosphere are a like the view of a marvellous landscape on a misty day, with the words occasionally not being as clear as they might be; partly due to the Orchestra and Choir not listening to each other. Agreed, this may be the conductors fault allowing the choir at times to be blotted out by the exhuberance of the orchestra who appear to have a greater understanding of the music and atmosphere Elgar tried to create.
However critical this review may sound, it should not put off anyone wishing to listen to a great piece of choral music, which would challenge even the best of choirs and orchestras! It is a CD which is certainly worth listening to, but have the score in front of you so that you may follow the words and appreciate the great atmosphere Elgar has painted.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Banner of St George is a piece by Elgar that has not been recorded or performed much at all. A lot of people may over look this composition because of an uncomfortable, and unfounded idea that belongs firmly in a past era of imperialistic, empire building, Victorian attitude of patriotism. Some people may even feel that it is some how "politically incorrect" to even consider such a compositional notion of exploring elements of English cultral identity. And although it is true that the national sense of patriotism may have been different at the time of this compositions birth, it is still a good and strong theme to use for composition. It is still a relevant celebration and reminder that England has its own and unique identity rich in cultural history and customs.
The piece enjoys a good strong nostalgic melody. And there is no doubt that this is a substantial work. There is a restrained tone through the narrative part of St George`s rescue of a princess from the Dragon.
The piece is strong in memorable themes and delightful scoring. The score not only tells the story of George and the Dragon and the rescue of the princess but hints to other English standpoints against opression. These standpoints are from legend, fiction and fact. It also echoes attitudes of the brave, morality, rightousness, survival, honour and cultural history.
Also on this release is the Te Deum and Benedictus. This has fine qualities that are as bright today as they were when conceived for a Festival in Hereford in 1897. There are a lot of changes of mood in the text of Te Deum. It has dancing rhythms and strong orchestration with a secular origin. And the Benedictus extends the quieter mooods from the Te Deum but brings both parts to a full finale.
Sandwiched between The Banner of St George and the Te Deum and Benedictus is "Great is the Lord" (psalm 48 Op 67. This has compositional echoes of the composers Violin Concerto.
Richard Hickox and the Northern Sinfonia of England with the London Symphony Chorus are more than qualified as interpreters of these works by Elgar and they do a fine job. The recording was mad in 1986. The digital sound is very good except that the lyrical quality sometimes seems smothered by heavy orchestral sound that often makes it difficult to fully understand the vocalisation of the text. This is definatly due to both the compositional structure that requires strong and bold focus on both orchestration and vocals at the same time and much is also the fault of the choice of EMI sound mixing. However the recording is of encouraging merit and it is more than a worthy addition to the library of Elgar recorded works.
The piece enjoys a good strong nostalgic melody. And there is no doubt that this is a substantial work. There is a restrained tone through the narrative part of St George`s rescue of a princess from the Dragon.
The piece is strong in memorable themes and delightful scoring. The score not only tells the story of George and the Dragon and the rescue of the princess but hints to other English standpoints against opression. These standpoints are from legend, fiction and fact. It also echoes attitudes of the brave, morality, rightousness, survival, honour and cultural history.
Also on this release is the Te Deum and Benedictus. This has fine qualities that are as bright today as they were when conceived for a Festival in Hereford in 1897. There are a lot of changes of mood in the text of Te Deum. It has dancing rhythms and strong orchestration with a secular origin. And the Benedictus extends the quieter mooods from the Te Deum but brings both parts to a full finale.
Sandwiched between The Banner of St George and the Te Deum and Benedictus is "Great is the Lord" (psalm 48 Op 67. This has compositional echoes of the composers Violin Concerto.
Richard Hickox and the Northern Sinfonia of England with the London Symphony Chorus are more than qualified as interpreters of these works by Elgar and they do a fine job. The recording was mad in 1986. The digital sound is very good except that the lyrical quality sometimes seems smothered by heavy orchestral sound that often makes it difficult to fully understand the vocalisation of the text. This is definatly due to both the compositional structure that requires strong and bold focus on both orchestration and vocals at the same time and much is also the fault of the choice of EMI sound mixing. However the recording is of encouraging merit and it is more than a worthy addition to the library of Elgar recorded works.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Could not agree more with the the above review and much as i admire Hickox he has suffered with choir/orchestra levels in the past. And not only him to many recordings today do not get the right balance and so a copy of the sore is a must. That is why i have given 4 stars because this CD is available on the box set Edward Elgar: The Collector's Edition [Box Set] with no score so as with all the coral pieces in the box set you take your choice music only or pay more for the score.
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