14 Dec 2014

Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

From Composer of the Week, 9:00 am on 14 December 2014

Gloucester Cathedral ChoirRachel Hyde’s first encounter with Howells was not with the choral music he’s most famous for, but with a chamber work, his Rhapsodic Quintet. This was to become one of Hyde’s favourite pieces, and as she says in this programme:

It taught me two incredibly important lessons; that it isn’t only the famous composers who deserve to be heard, and to never stop searching for new musical experiences.

 

Image: A view from the choir of Gloucester Cathedral where Howells studied as an organist. Photo: Michael D Beckwith

Music Details:

HOWELLS: Rhapsodic Quintet  - Thea King (cl), Britten String Quartet (Hyperion CDA 66428)
HOWELLS: Elegy  - Helen Callus (vla), New Zealand SO/ Marc Taddei (ASV CD DCA 1181)
HOWELLS: In Gloucestershire - Britten Quartet (EMI CDC 5 55349)
HOWELLS: Sir Hugh’s Galliard, from Four Pieces - Margaret Fingerhut (pno) (Chandos CHAN 9273)
HOWELLS: Gadabout  - Margaret Fingerhut (pno) (Chandos CHAN 9273)
HOWELLS: Procession  - LSO/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 9410)
HOWELLS: Penguinski  - BBCSO/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 9874)
HOWELLS: Chosen Tune  - Paul Barritt (violin), Catherine Edwards (piano) (Hyperion CDA 66665)
HOWELLS: Take him Earth for Cherishing - St John’s College Choir/ Christopher Robinson (Naxos 8.557557)
HOWELLS: Requiem aeternam II, from Requiem - Conspirare/ Craig Hella Johnson (Harmonia Mundi HMU 80 7518)
HOWELLS: Hymnus Paradisi  - Joan Rodgers (sop), Anthony Rolfe Johnson (ten), BBC SO & Chorus/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 9744)
HOWELLS: Threnody  - LSO/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 9410)
HOWELLS: A Sequence for St Michael  - Rupert Gough (org), Choir of Wells Cathedral/ Malcolm Archer (Hyperion CDA 67494)
HOWELLS: Concerto for String Orchestra - Edward Roberts (vln), Stephen Tees (vla), Shuna Wilson (cello), City of London Sinfonia, Andrew Watkinson (vln)/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 10780)
HOWELLS: Hymnus Paradisi  - Joan Rodgers (sop), Anthony Rolfe Johnson (ten), BBC SO & Chorus/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 9744)
HOWELLS: Hymnus Paradisi  - Joan Rodgers (sop), Anthony Rolfe Johnson (ten), BBC SO & Chorus/ Richard Hickox (Chandos CHAN 9744)
HOWELLS: Rhapsodic Quintet - Thea King (cl), Britten String Quartet (Hyperion CDA 66428)