Delius: A Mass of Life, etc.

This is only the third commercial recording of AMass of Life. The previous two recordings were the 1952 Beecham (no longer available) and the 1971 Groves on EMI. You might imagine modern recording... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: CHAN9515(2)
Label: Chandos
Length: 2 hours 9 minutes

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Delius: Requiem, RT II / 8

Work length30:58

$7.00

$9.10

$12.25

Richard Hickox, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Peter Coleman-Wright, Rebecca Evans, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus

I. Our days here are as one day (Baritone, Chorus)

Track length8:44

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

II. Hallelujah (Baritone, Chorus)

Track length5:12

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. My beloved whom I cherished was like a flower (Baritone, Chorus)

Track length4:02

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

IV. I honour the man who can love life (Soprano, Chorus)

Track length4:42

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

V. The snow lingers yet on the mountains (Baritone, Soprano, Chorus)

Track length8:18

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Delius: A Mass of Life, RT II / 4, Part I

Work length32:38

$8.00

$10.35

$14.00

Richard Hickox, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Peter Coleman-Wright, Joan Rogers, Jean Rigby, Nigel Robson

O Du mein Wille, Du Wende aller Not! (Chorus)

Track length5:49

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Erhebt eure Herzen, meine Brüder (Baritone)

Track length1:54

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

In dein Auge schaute ich jüngst, O Leben (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus)

Track length13:08

$3.00

$3.85

$5.25

Wehe mir! (Baritone, Chorus)

Track length2:38

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Nacht ist es (Baritone, Chorus)

Track length9:09

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Delius: A Mass of Life, RT II / 4, Part II

Work length1:05:47

$14.00

$18.05

$24.50

Richard Hickox, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Joan Rogers, Jean Rigby, Nigel Robson, Peter Coleman-Wright, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus

On the Mountains

Track length4:51

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Herauf! Nun herauf, du großer Mittag! (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus)

Track length4:35

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Süße Leier! Ich liebe deinen Ton… (Baritone)

Track length5:07

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

La, la, la! (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Baritone, Chorus)

Track length18:30

$4.00

$5.15

$7.00

Heißer Mittag schläft auf den Fluren (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus)

Track length14:35

$3.00

$3.85

$5.25

Gottes Weh ist tiefer… (Baritone, Chorus)

Track length4:20

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Kommt. Laßt uns jetzt wandeln! (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus)

Track length13:49

$3.00

$3.85

$5.25

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

This is only the third commercial recording of AMass of Life. The previous two recordings were the 1952 Beecham (no longer available) and the 1971 Groves on EMI. You might imagine modern recording would best place this vast canvas between your loudspeakers. And yes, Hickox's dynamic peaks are marginally higher, his perspectives marginally wider and deeper. Actually, some of this has as much to do with Hickox's own pacing and shading as the engineering. In general, this 'idealised' light- and air-filled sound brings a sharper, bright presence for the chorus, and such things as the piccolo trilling atop the final 'Hymn to Joy'. What it doesn't bring is the sense of performers in a specific acoustic space. But the chorus shines in the prominent role which the Chandos balance gives them, with ringing attack for all entries where it's needed, and singing as confident as it's sensitive, even if one has to make the odd allowance for not quite perfect pitching on high (Delius's demands are extreme) and moments where they're too loud. The soloists are fine; Hickox's baritone has a good line in stirring, virile address, though little of Benjamin Luxon's nobility, inwardness and true legato. What makes the Hickox Mass preferable to the Groves (but only just) is the conductor's inspired handling of each part's central dance panels. Hickox makes you believe in them, with a judicious drive, lift to the rhythms, and really incisive, eager singing and playing. As a coupling, Hickox has only the second-ever commercial recording of the Requiem: more Nietzsche, but this time dogma not poetry, all the more unpalatable/ embarrassing (regardless of your faith) for being in English, but containing much unique Delius.

Offer,Delius: A Mass of Life, etc.

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