Customer Reviews

Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

NAXOS seems to have a knack for creating compilations that provide music selections not often heard or easily found elsewhere. I'll skip talking about the usual commercial items like the " Pomp and Circumstance" marches and the not quite as familiar Walton pieces which can be found on numerous discs, and focus on the rarities included here.
First, the producers note that this is all music taken from typical British prom concerts and not a live performance. Henry Wood's "Fantasia on British Sea Songs" makes a charming listen. Wood was the original founder of the promenade concerts. His sea songs are expertly orchestrated and were hastily put together in three weeks before the first concert. Each song has a important part for a soloist, dedicated as respect to his musicians. The fantasia concludes with a bring-down-the-house rendition of "Rule Britannia", with rousing chorus and full orchestra. Arnold's "Tam O'Shanter" over. has to be new to most American ears. The music builds and builds wildly, depicting Tam's story of lucky escape from witches on a stormy night. You will love the devilish, frantic sound of the orchestra sounding like a huge bagpipe. Why has this piece been neglected in the USA? Hubert Parry's patriotic "Jerusalem" and the Coronation anthem "I was glad when they said unto me" are too short for a lasting impression. However the liner notes state that these are old favorites concluding these concerts. At a running time of about 55 mins. this disc brings back memories of my old LPs that came to an end just as I was getting into the music. NAXOS British production standards and the playing of the English Northern Philharmonia are more polished than most of their Eastern European counterparts on other releases!

This CD offers an excellent sampler of traditional British music. If you have watched Chariots Of Fire you will recognize Jerusalem By Parry(the final scene at Harold Abraham's funeral). This is a beautiful selection. The Tam O'Shanter Overture dispells the often unjustified characterization of the stuffy Englishman and is a rousing piece. All in all a very enjoyable CD. Buy it!

This one is for all those who want a splendid introduction to the music this CD offers. It would make a lovely Christmas present for the discriminating listener. My favorite is "Jerusalem!"

It is a good choice of tunes played often in England. The quality of recording is good, the choice of tunes is good too and the orchestration is good too. It is a good CD to buy.

From the 1700s to the mid-1900s, Britian ruled most of the world at some time or another. Part of this experience was the exportation of the English language, English bureaucracy, and the British school system (headmasters, uniforms, standardized testing) to places as disparate as Canada, Singapore, India and Egypt. Yet somehow, music students around the world learn to play Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, or some other continental composer. British music did not get widespread attention until the Beatles. This is surprising given that English composers produced music in ballets, symphonies, overtures, operas and just about every other style and form known. Maybe the reason why is that many locals' first taste of British music was imperial music played upon the entrance of their overlords, or in military parades meant to cower them. Samples of such music are provided in this CD from naxos. Offering works from various English composers from the 1800s to early 1900s, this album leaves out the more melodic and evocative works of English music such as Vaughn-Williams' Greensleeves, Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance, or Jupiter by Holst. Instead, the focus is on music played at ceremonies, whether they be parades, crownings, burials, etc... The result is a nicely-themed CD that is unique in its contents. The sound quality is great, though the orchestration is only good. For example, title piece of Rule Britannia is played much better on other albums. Note that the works on this CD are pure British; no Irish, Scottish or Welsh influences. Overall, a nice CD to listen to.

Same comments as I made with the other CD "Last night of the Proms". This CD isn't as good and I guess I didn't read the preview too closely as this is only 'music of the last night of the proms' and NOT the actual Royal Albert Hall last night. Disappointing in that respect.
Should have gone for the more expensive CD with the BBC etc because of the crowd participation and the Conductor's final address, the singing and
chanting of the audience.