Immerse yourself in the rich, dramatic world of Edward Elgar's choral and orchestral masterpieces with this captivating album, released on February 1, 2015, by Chandos. Spanning nearly two hours, this collection showcases Elgar's exceptional ability to blend powerful storytelling with lush, evocative music.
The centerpiece of the album is "Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf," Op. 30, a grand choral work that brings to life the legendary tale of King Olaf II of Norway. Through a series of vivid musical scenes, Elgar and his librettist, Lady Augusta Gregory, depict the king's journey from pagan warrior to Christian convert, culminating in his martyrdom. The work is a stunning display of Elgar's orchestral and choral writing, featuring a diverse range of vocal and instrumental colors.
Complementing the Saga of King Olaf is "The Banner of Saint George," Op. 33, a choral ballad that tells the story of Saint George's battle with a dragon. This shorter work is no less dramatic, with its vivid depictions of battle and triumph, and serves as a fitting companion to the larger Saga.
Throughout the album, Elgar's signature romantic style is on full display, with sweeping melodies, rich harmonies, and dramatic orchestration. The performances are conducted by David Hill, with the BBC National Chorus of Wales and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales providing the powerful, nuanced interpretations that bring Elgar's music to life.
Whether you're a longtime fan of Elgar's music or a newcomer to his work, this album offers a compelling introduction to the composer's choral and orchestral writing. With its engaging stories, lush music, and powerful performances, it's an essential addition to any classical music lover's collection.
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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