Composer(s): Sullivan, Arthur
Conductor(s): Penny, Andrew
Label: Naxos
Genre: Choral - Secular; Orchestral
Period: Romantic
Catalogue No: 8.555210
Barcode: 747313521029
Distribution Note(s):
Currently not available on CD.
Release Date: 02/2022

SULLIVAN, A.: Incidental Music - Macbeth / King Arthur / The Merry Wives of Windsor (M. MacDonald, RTÉ Chamber Choir, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, A. Penny)

Arthur Sullivan is best remembered today for his Savoy Operas with W.S. Gilbert, but during his lifetime Sullivan was also famed for his church, concert hall and stage works. These three sets of incidental music show his versatility in the genre. The music for The Merry Wives of Windsor has a joviality and lightness that matches its pantomime mood, while the concert suite for Macbeth weaves together nervous tension and impending tragedy. By contrast, King Arthur required one of Sullivan’s specialties, a sequence of choruses, edited after his death into this evocative suite.

Tracklist

Shakespeare, William - Lyricist
Sullivan, Arthur
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
1Overture07:56
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
2Andante espressivo01:58
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
3Act V: Prelude02:17
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
4Act VI: Prelude02:18
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
5Act IV: Prelude01:26
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
6Act IV: Chorus of Spirits in the Air: Black spirits and white01:07
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
7Act IV: Chorus of Witches and Spirits: Come away, come away!02:17
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
Carr, J. Comyns - Lyricist
Sullivan, Arthur
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
8Chorus of Lake Spirits: Dawn and daytime turn to night05:05
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
9Chorus of Unseen Spirits: Fairest form of all the earth!01:34
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
10The Chaunt of the Grail: Look not to thy sword04:29
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
11The May Song: Ere upon its snowy bed02:38
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
12Funeral March and Final Chorus: Sleep! oh, sleep!03:43
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
Swinburne, Algernon Charles - Lyricist
Shakespeare, William - Lyricist
Sullivan, Arthur
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
McDonald, Margaret (mezzo-soprano)
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
13Act V: Prelude (Moonlight) - Dance of Fairies03:47
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
14Act V: Song for Anne Page: Love laid his sleepless head03:04
McDonald, Margaret (mezzo-soprano)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
15Act V: Scene for Anne and Chorus: Fairies, black, grey, green and white02:50
McDonald, Margaret (mezzo-soprano)
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
16Act V: Dance round the Tree01:55
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)
17Act V: Dance with Chorus: Fie on sinful fantasy!02:18
RTÉ Chamber Choir (Choir)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Orchestra)
Penny, Andrew (Conductor)

Total Playing Time: 50:42