Recordings of Lennox Berkeley's music
Peter Pears Conducted by the Composers
Format: Digital downloadLabel: Luna
Release date: June 2011
Catalogue no: LU-1018
Available from: Opera Club
- Four Ronsard Sonnets (op. 62, Set 2)
Performed by the London Sinfonietta & Lennox Berkeley (conductor)
Resurrection
Format: CD & Digital downloadLabel: Cambridge Recordings
Release date: April 2011
Catalogue no: CAMREC004
- The Lord is My Shepherd (op. 91 part 1)
Performed by the Academy of Great St. Mary's & Samuel Hayes (conductor)
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A Choral Wedding
Format: CDA special musical compendium for brides and grooms who are planning a church wedding ceremony, complete with church choir. CD1 is a selection of favourite anthems, many of which stem from the Anglican choral tradition and are popular choices for most church choirs. It includes Lennox Berkeley's The Lord is my Shepherd (op. 91/1). CD 2 is a selection of favourite hymns, well-known to many people and will provide either contemplative or rousing fare for your congregation. (Synopsis by Naxos)
- The Lord is My Shepherd (op. 91 part 1)
Performed by the Choir of St. John's College Cambridge, Jonathan Vaughn (organ) & Christopher Robinson (conductor)
Singing Away
Format: CDLabel: St. Peter's Collegiate Church
Release date: March 2011
This CD by the choirs of St. Peter's Collegiate Church was recorded at services in Carlisle and Lincoln Cathedrals and York Minster. Priced £10, all profits go to the Organ Restoration Appeal.
- The Lord is My Shepherd (op. 91 part 1)
Performed by the St. Peter's Wolverhampton Choir
The Young Julian Bream
Format: CD & Digital downloadThis disc features one of the greatest and distinguished contemporary classical guitarists: Julian Bream. It seems extraordinary that the discography of his youth has been only partially re-mastered on CD. In fact, this is true to such a point that many of his very famous performances are still difficult to find today, such as the Lennox Berkeley Sonatina recorded in 1960. The disc also features Bach's fantastic 'Ciaccona' recorded in 1956, when Bream was just 21 years old, together with a selection of other works recorded in 1960, that are currently very difficult to find. Among them is the famous transcription of Ravel's 'Pavane pour une infante défunte'. (Synopsis by Dynamic Records)
- Sonatina (op. 52 part 1)
Performed by Julian Bream (guitar)
The Rose Tree
Format: CDMusic in Memory of Basil Deane, featuring compositions by Basil Deane, Elizabeth Poston, Lennox Berkeley, Anthony Hedges, John Joubert, John Manduell, Geoffrey Poole and John McDowell.
- Una and the Lion (op. 98)
Performed by John Turner (recorder), Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano), Richard Tunnicliffe (viola da gamba) & Ian Thompson (harpsichord)
Steven Dearing July Recital
Format: CDRelease date: December 2010
- Theme and Variations (op. 77)
Performed by Steven Dearing (guitar)
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Departures
Format: CD & Digital downloadTravelling is the theme of British tenor Benjamin Hulett's CD, who has made a personal choice from the works of British composers, including Lennox Berkeley's songs 'Tombeaux'. He has also commissioned 'Joys of Travel' (op. 124, 2009) by British composer Giles Swayne, performed here as a world premiere.
The young tenor makes a very powerful statement with this new album. He uses the term 'Departures' in several ways: the start of a journey, the CD as a new beginning for him and pianist Alexander Soddy. Another meaning is found in the theme of the composers setting texts in a language not their own - a linguistic departure. This combination of repertoire and theme is new and daring.
Hulett's strong point, apart from his impressive vocal qualities, is the way he brings together the various works in an organic sounding programme. Together with pianist Alexander Soddy, with whom he has an obvious close musical relationship, he forms a remarkably harmonious and balanced duo. (Synopsis by Saprane Records)
- Tombeaux
- 1) Le Tombeau de Sappho
- 2) Le Tombeau de Socrates
- 3) Le Tombeau d'un Fleuve
- 4) Le Tombeau de Narcissus
- 5) Le Tombeau de Don Juan
Performed by Benjamin Hulett (tenor) & Alexander Soddy (piano)
Personent Hodie: Music for Christmas
Format: CDThe Christmas message is beautifully sung by the choir which serves the monastic community of St Benedict in Ealing. This collection contains favourites such as Coventry Carol and Away in a Manger as well as more unusual pieces, such as Bethlehem Down, Berkeley’s I Sing of a Maiden and Britten’s Hymn to the Virgin. (Synopsis by Europadisc)
- I Sing of a Maiden
Performed by the Ealing Abbey Choir & Christopher Eastwood (conductor)
Ruth
Format: Digital downloadLabel: MPLive
Release date: November 2010
Catalogue no: LM 7418
Available from: Classical Shop
Only one recording of Lennox Berkeley's gentle, pastoral one-act opera has been previously released, indicating a neglect of appreciation for its understated but deeply felt dramatic core and long lyrical lines that this release may hopefully address and correct.
That modern recording was made in the studio; here is a record of a full and lively production, and indeed the very first, marshalled with calm authority in the pit by Charles (later Sir Charles) Mackerras, whose death robbed the world of music of a true man for all seasons. Some of his many enthusiasms may be appreciated here; for English music; for new music; for opera; for working with the best singers of the day and at the same time nurturing young voices.
This performance as broadcast is introduced and linked with narrative interludes by Lord Harewood KBE, who did so much to foster the performance and wider appreciation of opera in the decades after the Second World War. (Synopsis by MPLive)
- Ruth (op. 50)
Performed by the English Opera Group Orchestra & Charles Mackerras (conductor)