Herald AV Publications

HAVPCD202 – Choral Evensong from Eton

When Archbishop Cranmer was compiling the first authorized English Prayer book (1549), he was assisted by a group of thirteen divines known, appropriately for this recording (as it met within sight of Eton College), as the Windsor Commission; but his own style and sure linguistic touch run through the whole book. In devising the office of Evensong, Cranmer combined the old Breviary offices of Vespers and Compline, but with his extensive knowledge of Continental liturgies to draw upon as well, he was able to produce a service which was distinctive in format and felicitous in expression.

HAVPCD198 – Stephen Watson: O Captain! My Captain! Autumn Boughs and Symphonic Study, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra

The poem O Captain! My Captain! is part of a collection known as Memories of President Lincoln and, in contrast to most of Whitman’s work, has a clearly defined structure…Musically the nature of the work is symphonic with unifying motives which occur as signposts to the structure. The music reflects both the intense involvement of the sea in human affairs and its omnipotent indifference to human fortunes; the anguish of loss; the symbolism of innocence; and the consummatory release from the cares of life.