Immerse yourself in the dramatic and richly orchestrated world of Edward Elgar with this captivating album, featuring two of his most celebrated early choral works: "Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf" and "The Banner of Saint George." This recording, conducted by the esteemed Sir Andrew Davis and performed by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, offers a compelling journey through Elgar's masterful compositions.
"Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf," Op. 30, is a secular cantata based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem about Olaf Tryggvason, the first Christian king of Norway. Commissioned for the North Staffordshire Music Festival of 1896, this work showcases Elgar's ability to blend dramatic narrative with lush orchestration and powerful choral writing. The cantata is divided into several scenes, each depicting a pivotal moment in King Olaf's life, from his return to Norway to his eventual conversion to Christianity.
Complementing this is "The Banner of Saint George," Op. 33, a ballad inspired by the story of Saint George of Cappadocia, as told by the Bristol poet Shapcott Wensley. This work, also commissioned, highlights Elgar's knack for creating vivid musical imagery and stirring choruses.
The album features a stellar cast of soloists, including soprano Emily Birsan, tenor Barry Banks, and baritone Alan Opie, alongside the Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegium Musicum Choir, and Edvard Grieg Kor. The performances are marked by their clarity, passion, and technical excellence, bringing Elgar's music to life in a way that is both engaging and historically informed.
With a total duration of 1 hour and 52 minutes, this album is a testament to Elgar's enduring appeal and the timeless beauty of his compositions. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Elgar's work, this recording offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Tracks
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Introduction: There is a wondrous book (Chorus, Bass, Soprano, Tenor)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Alan Opie, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Introduction: I. Summon now the God of Thunder (Bass)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Challenge of Thor: II. Chorus. 'I am the God Thor'. Moderato - Molto maestosoEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, King Olaf's Return: III. And King Olaf heard the cry (Tenor)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Barry Banks, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, King Olaf's Return: IV. Tell how Olaf bore the Cross (Bass)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Conversion: V. King Olaf's prows at Nidaros (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Conversion: V. Behold me, my people, and answer and say (Tenor, Bass, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Barry Banks, Alan Opie, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Conversion: V. As leap the lights of winter (Bass, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Conversion: V. Then o'er the blood-stained Horg-stone (Tenor, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Barry Banks, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Conversion: VI. Now the child of Ironbeard dead (Bass)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Gudrun: VII. On King Olaf's bridal night (Soprano, Tenor, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Gudrun: VIII. How the Wraith of Odin old (Bass)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Wraith of Odin: IX. The guests were loud, the ale was strong (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Wraith of Odin: X. Sisters, sing ye now the song (Bass)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Sigrid: XI. Sigrid sits in her high abode (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Sigrid: XI. Sigrid, hail! with royal hand (Tenor, Soprano, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Sigrid: XII. Hark! she flies from Wendeland forth (Bass)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Opie, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Thyri: XIII. A little bird in the air (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Thyri: XIV. The gray land breaks to lively green (Soprano)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Thyri: XIV. Thyri, my beloved (Tenor, Soprano)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Thyri: XV. After Queen Gunhild's death (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, The Death of Olaf: XVI. King Olaf's dragons take the sea (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Epilogue: XVII. In the convent of Drontheim (Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Epilogue: XVIII. It is accepted (Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Alan Opie, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Sir Andrew Davis
Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf, Op. 30, Epilogue: XIX. Stronger than steel (Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus)Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Emily Birsan, Barry Banks, Alan Opie, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 1: Within Sylenë's walls no sound is heardEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 1: The women of Sylenë rend their hairEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 1: Forth from the palace, beautiful as dayEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 1: O calm your hearts, she cries, O still your fearsEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 2: Without a fear beside the dragon's tarnEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 2: Hark! 'tis the ringing hoof of steedEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Scene 2: Loud cry the people, Hate! the dragon comes!Edward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
The Banner of Saint George, Op. 33, Epilogue: It comes from the misty agesEdward Elgar, Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Edvard Grieg Kor, Håkon Matti Skrede, Sir Andrew Davis
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