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Track Listings
| 1. 1. Preludio - |
| 2. 2. Requiem aeternam |
| 3. 3. The Lord is my shepherd |
| 4. 4. Sanctus: I will lift up mine eyes |
| 5. 5. I heard a voice from heaven |
| 6. 6. Holy is the true light |
| 7. Kyrie Eleison |
| 8. Credo |
| 9. Sursum Corda |
| 10. Sanctus |
| 11. Benedictus |
| 12. Agnus Dei |
| 13. Gloria |
Product Description
Review
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE 'An outstanding performance ... A wonderful tribute to Howells in his centenary year' --Classic CD
'Superb performances' --Daily Telegraph
'Superb' --Organists' Review
'Superb performances' --Daily Telegraph
'Superb' --Organists' Review
Product Description
Hymnus Paradisi - English Mass / Julie Kennard, soprano - John Mark Ainsley, ténor - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra, dir. Vernon Handley
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Herbert Howells, around the time of the First World War, was one on England's most promising composers. He produced a series of astoundingly original chamber works of incredible beauty e.g the fantasy string quartet and piano quartet. There were some brilliant short orchestral pieces, too. Later, his second piano concerto was slammed by the critics and, being a sensitive man, he retired into himself. In the mid-thirties, his son Kendrew developed either mengingitis or polio and quickly died. Howells was absolutely devasted and it was a pain he never escaped. It was his daughter, Ursula, who suggested he might write some music to help externalise the grief. He did and this resulted in the Requiem. Howells never intended this for publication. It was to be private to him. Out of this requiem (which has been recorded) sprang this present work, Hymnus Paradisi. It was completed before the Second World War but was not performed until the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester in 1950. I was priveliged to have have been at the last performance Howells attended, at Hereford in the late 70s. He sat towards the back of the cathedral, small, snowy haired and still handsome with a black stick between his knees. Afterwards, I met him and asked him if he remembered a letter I had written to him. 'No!' he said gruffly and turned to a pretty girl. This is a towering masterpiece, quite unlike any other choral work. Whatever you read about this will mention light - lux aeterna. Howells' harmonies are very complex, and that applies to the choral writing as well as the orchestra. It is extremely difficult to perform. In a good, performance such as this, there is a pervading radiance of the sound, blazing light. Sound cannot be light but here it feels as if it is.... Read more ›
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Howells has written the most exquisite music, and these are amongst his finest achievements.
It is hard not to be moved when listening to the music, particularly in light of the personal story which led to the Requiem.
I find it hard to go too long without listening to such amazing choral works. I find it constantly in my CD player
Amazon Verified Purchase
A splendid version of this great piece of English choral music (Hymnus Paradisi) Lovely orchestral and choral sound with soloists that sound at ease and very "English" in the best sense of the word. If you don't know the piece, try it.
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