Anthony Milner: The Song of Akhenaten & The Water and the Fire

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Offer,Anthony Milner: The Song of Akhenaten & The Water and the Fire

Janet Price (soprano), Hazel Holt (soprano), John Elwes (tenor) & Stephen Roberts (baritone)

BBC Training Orchestra, BBC Northern Singers, Manchester Grammar School Boys Choir & BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, Meredith Davies

Release Date: 8th Apr 2016
Catalogue No: REAM1125
Label: Lyrita
Series: Itter Broadcast Collection
Length: 71 minutes

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Milner, Anthony: The Song of Akhenaten

Work length14:14

$3.00

$3.90

Janet Price
BBC Training Orchestra
Meredith Davies

I. Beautiful Is Thy Dawning - II. All Cattle Rest upon the Pasture

Track length4:38

$1.00

$1.30

III. For Every Day Walks in Thy Praise - IV. When Thou Settest in the Western Horizon of Heav'n

Track length4:27

$1.00

$1.30

V. How Manifold Are All Thy Works - VI. I Shall Breathe the Sweet Breath Which Comes from Thy Mouth

Track length5:09

$1.00

$1.30

Milner, Anthony: The Water and the Fire

Work length57:16

Album only

Hazel Holt, Stephen Roberts, John Elwes
BBC Northern Singers, BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Grammar School Boys' Choir
Meredith Davies

I. Descent into the Pit

Track length13:24

$3.00

$3.85

II. Encounter

Track length11:41

$3.00

$3.85

III. The Waters by Night

Track length4:52

$1.00

$1.30

IV. The Easter Fire

Track length27:19

Album only

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The Song of Akhenaten Op.5, is a setting for soprano and chamber o rchestra of a text based on the utterance of an Egyptian Pharaoh regarded as one of the early monotheists. When The Song of Akhenaten was published by Novello and Co. in 1969, the Musical Opinion critic wrote that ‘… it is a pleasure to see a composer writing for the voice, rather than against it’, whilst Peter J. Pirie described the vocal part as ‘rewarding’. This score ably demonstrates Milner’s sensitive treatment of texts by creating vocal lines which are both grateful and challenging to sing and by fashioning deft instrumental accompaniments that genuinely enhance his settings.

Arguably the highpoint of the composer’s largescale choral writing is The Water and the Fire. Lasting around 55 minutes in performance, this substantial dramatic oratorio was completed in 1961 and premiered at Hereford Cathedral on 8 September 1964 as part of that year’s Three Choirs Festival. The Water and the Fire is a truly visionary piece in that Milner’s very personal choice of text has had a strong bearing on the character and form of the music resulting in a strikingly powerful and unified conception. The music unfolds in a natural arc, from the jagged harmonies of the opening scene to the tranquil, diatonic closing melody. It is perhaps above all an eminently balanced work counterpoising instinct and logic, passion and intellect within a convincing large-scale statement that is built to last.

Offer,Anthony Milner: The Song of Akhenaten & The Water and the Fire

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