Granville Bantock's majestic masterpiece, 'Omar Khayyám', is a sweeping choral work that showcases the composer's remarkable facility, imagination, and inspired use of orchestral and vocal forces. This epic composition, scored for a large orchestra, chorus, and three solo vocalists, is a testament to Bantock's unique blend of influences, including Wagner, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss, and Brahms.
Originally written between 1906 and 1909, 'Omar Khayyám' is a setting of Edward FitzGerald's translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a collection of poems attributed to the 11th-century Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet. This complete recording, released in 2016 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Bantock's death, features the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers under the baton of Norman Del Mar.
The album is a sprawling, four-hour masterpiece that explores the depths of human existence, love, and mortality. With its lush orchestration and soaring vocal lines, 'Omar Khayyám' is a work of unbridled passion and beauty, transporting listeners to a world of mysticism and wonder. Granville Bantock's music, once neglected, is now recognised as a significant contribution to 20th-century classical music, and this recording is a powerful testament to his artistry.
Released on the Lyrita label, 'Granville Bantock: Omar Khayyám' is a must-listen for fans of classical music, particularly those interested in exploring the lesser-known works of a remarkable composer. With its rich soundscapes and profound emotional resonance, this album is an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on all who hear it.
Tracks
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: PreludeGranville Bantock, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Wake! For the Sun, Who Scattered Into FlightGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Brian Rayner Cook, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Now the New Year Reviving Old DesiresGranville Bantock, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Each Morn a Thousand Roses Brings, You SayGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Some for the Glories of This WorldGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: I Sometimes Think That Never Blows so RedGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Alike for Those Who for To-day PrepareGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Then of the Thee in Me Who Works BehindGranville Bantock, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: As Then the Tulip for Her Morning SupGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Interlude. The DesertGranville Bantock, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 1: Would You That Spangle of Existence SpendGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 2: InterludeGranville Bantock, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 2: You Know, My Friends, with What a Brave CarouseGranville Bantock, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 2: Why, Be This Juice the Growth of God, Who DareGranville Bantock, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 2: I Sent My Soul Through the InvisibleGranville Bantock, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 2: The Moving Finger WritesGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 2: What! Out of Senseless Nothing to ProvokeGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 3: Introduction. The Fast of RamazánGranville Bantock, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 3: As Under Cover of Departing DayGranville Bantock, Brian Rayner Cook, Unknown Artist, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 3: Ah, with the Grape My Fading Life ProvideGranville Bantock, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 3: Yet Ah, That Spring Should Vanish with the Rose!Granville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Omar Khayyám, Pt. 3: Yon Rising Moon That Looks for Us AgainGranville Bantock, Sarah Walker, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Brian Rayner Cook, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Fifine at the FairGranville Bantock, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: PreludeGranville Bantock, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: I. Hymn to Aphrodite, Daughter of ZeusGranville Bantock, Johanna Peters, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: II. I Loved Thee, Atthis, Long AgoGranville Bantock, Johanna Peters, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: III. Evening SongGranville Bantock, Johanna Peters, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: V. The Moon Has SetGranville Bantock, Johanna Peters, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: VI. Peer of Gods He SeemsGranville Bantock, Johanna Peters, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
Sappho: IX. Muse of the Golden ThroneGranville Bantock, Johanna Peters, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
The Pierrot of the Minute OvertureGranville Bantock, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar
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