Dive into the rich tapestry of Charles Villiers Stanford's musical genius with this captivating collection, "Songs of Faith, Love and Nonsense." Released on January 22, 2021, via SOMM Recordings, this album is a testament to Stanford's versatility and mastery of choral and requiem genres. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 18 minutes, the album features 33 tracks that showcase Stanford's profound ability to blend sacred and secular themes with wit and wisdom.
The album opens with "Songs of Faith, Op. 97," a powerful set of choral pieces that explore themes of divine strength and spiritual reflection. Stanford's compositions, such as "Strong Son of God" and "Faith," resonate with a timeless quality, making them as relevant today as they were during his lifetime. The album also includes "3 Songs of Robert Bridges, Op. 43," which demonstrate Stanford's skill in setting poetic texts to music, resulting in deeply moving and evocative pieces.
"Shamus O'Brien, Op. 61" offers a glimpse into Stanford's lighter side, with excerpts that are both humorous and heartwarming. These tracks, along with the "Nonsense Rhymes" series, showcase Stanford's playful and whimsical side, providing a delightful contrast to the more solemn and sacred compositions.
The album concludes with "5 Sonnets from 'The Triumph of Love', Op. 82," a set of sonnets that explore the complexities of love and passion. These pieces, along with the rest of the album, highlight Stanford's ability to convey a wide range of human experiences through his music.
Featuring the talents of James Way, Roderick Williams, and Andrew West, this album is a must-listen for anyone interested in classical choral music. The performances are impeccable, bringing Stanford's compositions to life with clarity and depth. Whether you're a longtime fan of Stanford's work or a newcomer to his music, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
(C) 2021 SOMM Recordings(P) 2021 SOMM Recordings
Tracks
Songs of Faith, Op. 97, Set 1: No. 1, Strong Son of GodCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Songs of Faith, Op. 97, Set 1: No. 2, God and the UniverseCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Songs of Faith, Op. 97, Set 1: No. 3, FaithCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Songs of Faith, Op. 97, Set 2: No. 4, To the SoulCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Songs of Faith, Op. 97, Set 2: No. 5, Tears!Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Songs of Faith, Op. 97, Set 2: No. 6, Joy, Shipmate, Joy!Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
3 Songs of Robert Bridges, Op. 43: No. 1, Since Thou, O Fondest and TruestCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
3 Songs of Robert Bridges, Op. 43: No. 2, I Praise the Tender FlowerCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
3 Songs of Robert Bridges, Op. 43: No. 3, Say, O Say! Saith the MusicCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Shamus O'Brien, Op. 61 (Excerpts): My Heart Is ThrallCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Shamus O'Brien, Op. 61 (Excerpts): GlengallCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Shamus O'Brien, Op. 61 (Excerpts): Ochone, When I Used to Be YoungCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Shamus O'Brien, Op. 61 (Excerpts): I Love My Ould IrelandCharles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 1, The Hardy Norsewoman, Op. 365Charles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 2, The Compleat Virtuoso, Op. 366Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 3, The Absent Barber, Op. 367Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 4, The Cow and the Coward, Op. 368Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 5, Barkerolle, Op. 369 (1)Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 6, Dithyramb, Op. 370Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 7, The Generous Parishioner, Op. 371Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 8, Limmerich ohne Worte, Op. 372Charles Villiers Stanford, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 9, Boat Song, Op. 373Charles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 10, Nileinsamkeit, Op. 374Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 11, The Aquiline Snub, Op. 375Charles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 12, Tone Poem, Op. 376Charles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No 13, Gongdichtung, Op. 377Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 14, A Visit of Elizabeth, Op. 378Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
5 Sonnets from "The Triumph of Love", Op. 82: No. 1, O One Deep Sacred Outlet of My SoulCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
5 Sonnets from "The Triumph of Love", Op. 82: No. 2, Like as the Thrush in WinterCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
5 Sonnets from "The Triumph of Love", Op. 82: No. 3, When in the Solemn Stillness of the NightCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
5 Sonnets from "The Triumph of Love", Op. 82: No. 4, I Think That We Were ChildrenCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
5 Sonnets from "The Triumph of Love", Op. 82: No. 5, O Flames of PassionCharles Villiers Stanford, James Way, Andrew West
Nonsense Rhymes: No. 5, Barkerolle, Op. 369 (2)Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Andrew West
Charles Villiers Stanford, an Anglo-Irish composer, conductor, and music teacher, left an indelible mark on the late Romantic era. Born into a musically inclined family in Dublin, Stanford's journey took him from the halls of the University of Cambridge to the vibrant music scenes of Leipzig and Berlin. His compositions, particularly his choral works and requiems, are celebrated for their emotional depth and technical mastery. Stanford was not just a composer but also a mentor to many of Britain's finest musical talents, serving as Professor of Music at Cambridge and Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music. His influence extended beyond his compositions, as he elevated the status of the Cambridge University Musical Society, attracting international stars to perform with it. Stanford's legacy endures, inspiring both scholars and enthusiasts alike with his rich musical heritage.
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Charles Villiers Stanford
