So Great a Joy

Andrew Carter (Composer), Benjamin Britten (Composer), Peter Warlock (Composer), Ralph Vaughan Williams (Composer), Alan Hovhaness (Composer), James Holloway (Composer), Gordon Binkerd (Composer), Samuel Barber (Composer), William Bergsma (Composer), Norman Dello Joio (Composer), Ned Rorem (Composer), Randall Thompson (Composer), Gerald Finzi (Composer), Rene Atkinson (Composer), Herbert Howells (Composer), Michael Head (Composer), Michael Kelly (Performer), Janeanne Houston (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Michael Kelly, Janeanne Houston
• Composer: Andrew Carter, Benjamin Britten, Peter Warlock, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Alan Hovhaness, et al.
• Audio CD (November 1, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elmgrove Productions
• ASIN: B0001YJH4K
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,135 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mary's Magnificat - Andrew Carter

2. O Gloriosa Domina - Michael Head

3. The Birds - Benjamin Britten

4. Come Sing and Dance - Herbert Howells

5. O, my deir hert - Herbert Howells

6. The First Mercy - Peter Warlock

7. Ave Maria - Rene Atkinson

8. Corpus Christi Carol - Benjamin Britten

9. Infant Joy - Ralph Vaughan Williams

10. The Lamb - Ralph Vaughan Williams

11. Wonder - Gerald Finzi

12. Christmas Song - Alan Hovhaness

13. My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord - Randall Thompson

14. Lullaby (Upon my Lap my Sov'reign Sits) - Randall Thompson

15. Cradle Song - Ned Rorem

16. A Christmas Carol - Norman Dello Joio

17. Lullee, Lullay - William Bergsma

18. Sure on this Shining Night - Samuel Barber

19. What Sweeter Musick - Gordon Binkerd

20. The Rapture - Gerald Finzi

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Carol Swanson, ChristmasReviews.com

So delicate, so profound the soprano voice that belongs to Janeanne Houston!

From the Artist

This collection reflects a long held and lasting interest in the marriage of poetry with song. The texts of these songs relate to Christmas, incarnation, birth, joy, wonder, and the prophecy of Christ's death and resurrection. None of the songs has a traditional melody, but some have archaic texts. They represent the exemplary work of 20th Century British and American composers and mystics. As the year 2001 marks the centenary of the birth of Gerald Finzi, it gives me special pleasure to include to songs from his splendid work Dies Natalis. The title of this recording is excerpted from Thomas Traherne's poem The Rapture used in that suite which is also scored for high voice with string orchestra. I hope this music brings as much joy to you as it has to me. Peace on Earth - Janeanne Houston

Recorded July 21 and 22, 2001 in Lagerquist Concert Hall, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wa.