SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD (1852-1924)

 

The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet

Songs of the Sea

Songs of the Fleet

 

Gerald Finley, BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Richard Hickox

 

This release contains two of Stanford's famous song cycles, the complete Songs of the Sea and Songs of the Fleet to words by Sir Henry Newbolt wonderfully performed here by Gerald Finley, and the only available recording of The Revenge: A ballad of the Fleet.

 

Stanford was particularly known in his day for his choral works and declared that the poem should always remain the principal consideration, governing all other artistic decisions. He derived some of his most stirring emotions from settings of maritime texts. The fearless constancy and bravery of the Royal Navy clearly motivated Stanford. All the works performed here use poems inspired by the Royal Navy and employing rich imagery of England’s naval past. Abounding with vivid orchestral portrayals, Stanford’s great choral piece The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet depicts the vivid narrative of Tennyson’s poem of that name with operatic skill

 

Hickox with his excellent forces directs a performance which is a 'must' for all lovers of British music.

 

Some of Charles Villiers Stanford's most stirring music was inspired by the sea, and here Richard Hickox has brought together three of his finest choral works setting maritime texts. Songs of the Sea is perhaps the most familiar, particularly the rousing opening song, "Drake's Drum", but the cycle's sequel, Songs of the Fleet, has its affecting moments, too, counteracting the earlier work's emphasis on action with a more moody, pensive atmosphere. But for real action there's The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet, Stanford's 1886 choral setting of Tennyson's tale of Sir Richard Grenville's brave stand against the Spanish Armada.

The two cycles are vehicles for solo baritone with chorus, rather than purely choral works, and Gerald Finley is at his best here: his diction is always expressive, bringing out the immediacy of Henry Newbolt's typically Edwardian verse; and he has the power for the works' drama yet also brings melting tenderness to the more pensive passages, such as "Homeward Bound" from Songs of the Sea. The choral singing is splendid throughout, with the BBC National Chorus of Wales clearly loving the bluster and heroism of The Revenge, while the orchestra provides characterful, emphatic support. The Brangwyn Hall recording captures everything with great vividness and warmth.

Matthew Rye, Telegraph

 

Chandos SACD CHSA5043