Label: Naxos Historical
Series: Great Singers
Genre: Choral - Sacred; Vocal
Period: Baroque
Catalogue No: 8.111295
Barcode: 0747313329526
Distribution Note(s):
Not available in the United States due to possible copyright restrictions
Release Date: 08/2008

BACH, J.S.: Ascension Oratorio, BWV 11 / Arias / HANDEL G.F.: Arias (Ferrier) (1949, 1952)

‘No summit of solemnity was inaccessible to her, and it was particularly music of spiritual meaning that seemed her most personal domain.’ Thus wrote the distingushed conductor Bruno Walter about the contralto Kathleen Ferrier, whose highly individual, plangent voice, natural musicianship and high level of personal professionalism made her one of England’s most popular singers during her all-too-brief career. This disc compiles a large number of her recordings of arias by Bach and Handel, to whose music she brought breadth, nobility and deep emotional commitment. She is accompanied by Sir Adrian Boult and Reginald Jacques, both major figures in England’s post-war musical life. The Cantata recording appears on CD for the first time.

Tracklist

Bach, Johann Sebastian
Mass Text - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Dobson, Michael (oboe d'amore)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
1Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Qui sedes ad dextram Patris05:47
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Dobson, Michael (oboe d'amore)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Bach, Johann Sebastian
Bible - New Testament - Lyricist
Henrici, Christian Friedrich - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
2St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244, Part I: No. 6. Aria: Grief for Sin (Buss und Reu)06:07
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Bach, Johann Sebastian
Bible - New Testament - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Gauntlett, Ambrose (viola da gamba)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
3St. John Passion, BWV 245, Part II: Aria: All is fulfilled (Es ist vollbracht!)05:24
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Gauntlett, Ambrose (viola da gamba)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Bach, Johann Sebastian
Mass Text - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
4Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Agnus Dei05:44
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Handel, George Frideric
Hamilton, Newburgh - Lyricist
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
5Samson, HWV 57, Act II: Aria: Return, Oh God of hosts04:31
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Handel, George Frideric
Bible - New Testament - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
6Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion05:42
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Handel, George Frideric
Morell, Thomas - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
7Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63, Part III: Air: Father of Heaven07:55
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Handel, George Frideric
Bible - New Testament - Lyricist
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
8Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Aria: He was despised and rejected of men06:45
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Lam, Basil (harpsichord)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Boult, Adrian (Conductor)
Bach, Johann Sebastian
Parsons, William (bass)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Herbert, William (tenor)
Cantata Singers, The (Choir)
Mitchell, Ena (soprano)
9Praise our God who reigns in heaven (Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen) (Chorus)05:39
Cantata Singers, The (Choir)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
10Recitative: Then Jesus lifted His hands to heaven (Der Herr Jesus hub seine Hande auf) (Tenor)00:41
Herbert, William (tenor)
Cantata Singers, The (Choir)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
11Recitative: My Saviour, is the parting hour so near? (Ach, Jesu, ist dein Abschied schon so nah?) (Bass)01:10
Parsons, William (bass)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
12Aria: Ah, tarry yet, my dearest Saviour (Ach bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben) (Alto)07:28
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
13Recitative: And behold He rose from the midst (Und ward aufgehaben zusehends) (Tenor)00:32
Herbert, William (tenor)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
14Chorale: Now at Thy feet creation lies (Nun lieget alles unter dir) (Chorus)01:49
Cantata Singers, The (Choir)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
15Recitative and Duet: And while they looked steadfastly into heaven (Und da sie ihm nachsahen) (Tenor, Bass)01:14
Herbert, William (tenor)
Parsons, William (bass)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
16Recitative: Ah Lord, now quickly come again (Ach ja! So komme bald zuruck) (Alto)00:33
Ferrier, Kathleen (contralto)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
17Aria: Jesus, all Thy loving kindness (Jesu, deine Gnadenblicke) (Soprano)02:41
Mitchell, Ena (soprano)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)
18Chorale: When will the night be over? (Wann soll es doch geschehen) (Chorus)04:08
Cantata Singers, The (Choir)
Jacques Orchestra, The (Orchestra)
Lofthouse, Thornton (harpsichord)
Jacques, Reginald (Conductor)

Total Playing Time: 01:13:50