Music of the Spheres: Part Songs of the British Isles

Featuring

Nigel Short
Tenebrae
Herbert Murrill
Frank Bridge
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Edward Elgar

Ernest Walker
Judith Bingham
Charles Villiers Stanford
Jonathan Harvey
Bob Chilcott

Did you know?

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Composer Biography

Herbert Murrill, a British organist-composer, served as a sergeant at Bletchley Park during the war, where his musical skills were utilized.

Performer Biography

Tenebrae, the award-winning choir on this recording, is renowned for its passion and precision, and has been described as 'phenomenal' and 'devastatingly beautiful'.

Compositional Technique

Ralph Vaughan Williams's Three Shakespeare Songs include a 'play on the sound of tolling bells' in Full Fathom Five, using multi-divided upper voices and an undulating bass melody.

Recording & Production

Richard Baker, a former chorister and choral scholar from King's College, Cambridge, provided significant research help and generosity, making this recording possible.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Judith Bingham, who composed 'The Drowned Lovers', draws inspiration for her music not only from abstract ideas but also from nature and other art forms.

Recording & Production

The album aims to balance well-known works with lesser-known gems, both old and new, that deserve more recognition.

Compositional Technique

Elgar's 'There is Sweet Music' is an ambitious experiment in bi-tonality, with women's voices singing in A-flat and lower voices responding in G major.