Of Field and Flower — July 10, 2020

Derived from a range of outstanding choral music, my themed Playlists are designed to be like concerts, of about an hour in length.

This week’s Playlist explores the beauty and tenderness of blossoms and meadows with works by Britten, Paulus, Whitacre, Corigliano’s setting of Dylan Thomas’s Fern Hill and more.

Listen on YouTube:

Listen on Spotify:

PROGRAM

Click the links for information on the pieces and texts/translations.

Fern Hill John Corigliano (b.1938)

 

Background and Text

Performed by Kansas City Chorale, conducted by Charles Bruffy

 

In Flanders Fields 

Stephen Chatman (b.1950)

 

Text

Performed by Vancouver Chamber Choir, conducted by Jon Washburn

 

David Wikander (1884-1955)

Kung Liljekonvalje

Text

Performed by Accentus, conducted by Eric Ericson (Spotify)
Swedish Radio Choir, conducted by Peter Kijkstra (YouTube)

 

Robert Lucas Pearsall (1795-1856)

Lay A Garland

Lay a garland on her hearse
of dismal yew.
Maidens, willow branches wear,
say she died true.
Her love was false, but she was firm
Upon her buried body lie
lightly, thou gentle earth.
                    Francis Beaumont (1584-1616)

Performed by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers

 

Stephen Paulus (1949-2014)

Little Elegy

Text

Performed by True Concord, conducted by Eric Holtan

 

Eric Whitacre (b.1970)

Three Flower Songs

I Hide Myself
With a Lily in Your Hand
Go, Lovely Rose

Background and Texts

Peformed by BYU Singers, conducted by Ronald Staheli

 

Michael Praetorious (1571-1621); Arr. Jan Sandström (b.1954)

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung.
Of Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung;
It came, a flow’ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.
                    15th century carol; tr. Theodore Baker (1851-1934)

Performed by Elora Festival Singers, conducted by Noel Edison

 

Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

A Spotless Rose

Text

Performed by Gabrieli, conducted by Paul McCreesh

 

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Five Flower Songs

To Daffodils
The Succession of the Four Sweet Months
Marsh Flowers
The Evening Primrose
The Ballad of Green Broom

Texts

Performed by The Cambridge Singers, conducted by John Rutter