Gustav Holst: The Evening Watch and other choral music [IMPORT]

Gustav Holst (Composer), Hilary Davan Wetton (Conductor), Joya Logan (Performer), Holst Orchestra (Orchestra), John Birch (Performer), Isobel Collyer (Performer), Chris Mercer (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Joya Logan, John Birch, Isobel Collyer, Chris Mercer
• Orchestra: Holst Orchestra
• Conductor: Hilary Davan Wetton
• Composer: Gustav Holst
• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B0001B0A8U
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #410,610 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Important collection of fine works, slightly let down by the sound quality, January 27, 2009

By	G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews

This is a welcome reissue of a fine release, including several minor gems (if no real masterpieces), performed with spirit and more than mere competence by the Holst Singers and Orchestra under Hilary Davan Wetton.

The program starts out with the Two Psalms from 1912, scored for choir, string orchestra and organ, fine but not particularly memorable works. The Six Choruses for male voices and string orchestra op. 53 belong to a different league, but these complex pieces aren't exactly easy listening. The Seven Part Songs op. 44 are very fine works as well - they belong to the period of Egdon Heath and more or less to the same style; and they do indeed exhibit many of the same qualities; they really display Holst's ear for sonorities and delicate but interesting textures. At first listening they might come across as a little austere, but closer attention is rewarded by almost shimmering, subtle beauty. The Evening Watch op. 43 also belongs to the same group, but is in the end a less memorable work. The Nunc Dimittis is lovely.

In the end, the performances do perhaps lack that last touch of drama needed to make the fullest impact, something which isn't exactly helped by a somewhat woolly sound quality. In fact, the sound quality is probably my biggest concern here, for it is not really up to Hyperion's generally excellent standards. Still, this is rewarding repertoire for the adventurous and with no alternatives readily available deserves a firm recommendation.