A Land of Pure Delight [IMPORT]

William Billings (Composer), Paul Hillier (Conductor), His Majestie's Clerkes (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: His Majestie's Clerkes
• Conductor: Paul Hillier
• Composer: William Billings
• Audio CD (February 16, 1993)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B0000007D3
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #337,027 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pure Delight it is, July 12, 1999

By A Customer

Truly excellent. Great choral blend, intonation, and technical mastery combine with subtle, expressive dynamics to make for a recording worthy of its title. Recording engineering is first rate too. Even though the technical singing and recording quality are very high, the joy and sheer gusto here eliminate any sterility. I was left with the impression that the performers loved every note of this music, and their ability to baste their music with this affection makes for a recording that is indeed A Land of Pure Delight.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Music was the Heart and Soul of Hearth and Home!, January 4, 2001

By	"rrr338" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This is an extremely well performed collection of vocal pieces by early American composer William Billings. Actually, he was a tanner by trade, and wrote these songs as something of a hobbyist. Amazing -- people back then found all this time for artistic expression, and here we are with all our supposed time-saving technology, seldom finding time to whistle a tune, let alone compose one!

The Billings songs evoke an historical era, and the way of life that found exhuberant expression in common song. Listenting to this disc brings about a mixed reaction from me: joy in the very "social" feeling of the music, and a bit of sadness that we live in an age where people now seem to spend more time at home watching TV or playing computer games. We don't have a TV in our home, and be forewarned... if you listen to this disc and succumb to its spirit, you may trash your own set and insist that the kids partake in a nightly, family "sing along." Oh the beautiful power of music! Also recommended: "New Britain" and "Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals" (Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata), "The World Turned Upside Down" (Barry Philips). Enjoy!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music, March 15, 2002

By	W. Daniel Cannon (Moultrie, Ga USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an awesome CD. I agree with the person who said the more I listen the more I like. If you dont buy this CD it is your loss.