This CD contains two works that Herbert Howells (1892-1983) wrote on the occasion of the death of his son Michael, who died of polio in 1935 at the age of nine. The first and most extensive work is the "Hymnus Paradisi". The texts are taken from the Requiem Mass, the Psalms and the Book of Common Prayer and, according to Howells, interpret "the eternal reflections of man on passing sorrow and
… indestructible hope." Howells completed the work in 1937, but kept it out of publicity as a personal way of dealing with his suffering. Only after insistence from Vaughan Williams did it come to a performance in 1950. The second work is the "Fantasy for cello and orchestra", in fact the first movement of an unfinished cello concerto. As well as the "Hymnus paradisi" a predominantly gloomy and melancholy mood prevails. Remarkably, this work was also withheld from the public by Howells. The 1982 studio recording with Alexander Baillie (cello) and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with conductor Norman del Mar, released here, was the premiere. The recording of the "Hymnus Paradisi" is live and was made in 1977 with April Cantelo (soprano), David Johnston (tenor), the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Donald Hunt. Fortunately, the mediocre recording quality of the "Hymnus" does not detract from the intensity and atmosphere of this CD. (JvG) _ The 1982 studio recording with Alexander Baillie (cello) and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with conductor Norman del Mar, released here, was the premiere. The recording of the "Hymnus Paradisi" is live and was made in 1977 with April Cantelo (soprano), David Johnston (tenor), the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Donald Hunt. Fortunately, the mediocre recording quality of the "Hymnus" does not detract from the intensity and atmosphere of this CD. (JvG) _ The 1982 studio recording with Alexander Baillie (cello) and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with conductor Norman del Mar, released here, was the premiere. The recording of the "Hymnus Paradisi" is live and was made in 1977 with April Cantelo (soprano), David Johnston (tenor), the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Donald Hunt. Fortunately, the mediocre recording quality of the "Hymnus" does not detract from the intensity and atmosphere of this CD. (JvG) _ Fortunately, the mediocre recording quality of the "Hymnus" does not detract from the intensity and atmosphere of this CD. (JvG) _ Fortunately, the mediocre recording quality of the "Hymnus" does not detract from the intensity and atmosphere of this CD. (JvG) _more
