Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis
List Price:
Our Price: $6.64
You Save: $3.34 (33%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.50 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Performer: William StoneComposer: Leonard Bernstein
Composer: William [composer] Walton
Conductor: Robert Shaw
Performer: Victoria Blakeney
Orchestra: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Performer: Donna Carter
Performer: Rob Lund
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1989-11-21
Music Label: Telarc
Soundtracks:
- Belshazzar's Feast
- I. (Psalm 108:2-Psalm 100, Entire) - Derek Lee Ragin
- II. (Psalm 23, Entire-Psalm 2:1-4) - Derek Lee Ragin
- III. (Psalm 131, Entire-Psalm 133:1) - Derek Lee Ragin
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Sanctus
- Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
- Dona Nobis Pacem
Music reviews of Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis
Music Review: Outstanding Outlandish Choral Works
Rating: 5 Stars
Leonard Bernstein and William Walton were diverse composers, utilizing a variety of techniques, not only of their own time, but also from the past. Their most famous large-scale choral works are represented on this disk, works masterfully displaying their individualized styles: Walton's Belshazzar's Feast and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Missa Brevis.
Walton's 37-minute oratorio, Belshazzar's Feast, is scored for large orchestra, including saxophone, two additional brass bands, a multitude of percussion (slapstick, anvil, castanets, xylophone, etc.), piano, organ, as well as a double chorus and baritone soloist. The text conveys the story of the Babylonian captivity and King Belshazzar/Nebuchadnezzar. The work features stunning choral writing, seen at the outstart for a cappella choir which first sets the scene and mood. The action moves to the pagan feast of King Belshazzar and their worshipping of heathen idols, an orgiastic musical setting of great invention. The famous "handwriting on the wall" is proclaimed by the baritone soloist, before a joyous exaltation of Alleluia's directed to the end of Israel's captivity. A great variety of choral writing is implemented throughout, including both orchestral and a cappella settings; lush chorales, grand fugues, and everything inbetween; all very difficult to perform, occasional colorings of dissonance, polytonality, and "English"-isms, and colorful, dramatic, music. Of interest, is the orgiastic feast praising the various metallurgical gods (featuring the outlandish orchestration) and the unashamedly English sounding, joyous conclusion. My love of this oratorio is unparalleled, intimate musical settings vs. extroverted, and is well programmed with the Bernstein compositions.
Commissioned for the Cathedral of Chichester, the Dean asked for something which would bring the spirit of West Side Story to a religious perspective. Chichester Psalms is just that and more. The text is from Psalms, but sung in Hebrew, and unusual choice for an English cathedral. After a forceful, angular, dissonant introduction, a whimsical dance is taken up in 7/4 time, sometimes forceful, other times light, altogether it is a riot. The second movement features, on this recording, a solo counter-tenor; a beautiful and emotional musical rendering, the simplicity of the harmonic movement and subtle jazz inflections, and scoring for women's voices is breathtaking. A frantic patter song takes over and eventually the two contrasting textures overlap. A re-orchestrated version of the opening begins the 3rd movement, angular and dissonant. But a peacefully flowing melody, first heard in men's voices with not-so subtle chromatic shifting of harmonies, brings the work to an uplifting close. Scored for large orchestra, Bernstein also dramatically shifts between outlandishly grandiose to simple intimate settings of orchestra and voice; a master of drama, this choral work is a sentimental and moving choral work. The unusual Missa Brevis, "Short Mass", also by Bernstein, was music originally written for a drama about Joan of Arc. The music is ancient and medieval sounding, rather transparent, scored for chorus, solo counter-tenor, and percussion only, the medieval rhythms and modern polytonality create quite a unique work. Both works are about 19 minutes long.
These highly dramatic and unique compositions by Leonard Bernstein and William Walton for chorus and large orchestra are masterfully performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under Robert Shaw. The astounding Telarc sonics make every orchestral voice and every vocal sound (text and tone) sound exceedingly clear. In addition, there is a feeling of unbridled passion which bristles throughout these works. While in the scheme of musical history these may seem minor works, they have grown to become my favorites; a great recommendation for some different, superb, dramatic choral works and performances.
More Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis free music reviews:
1 2 3
1 2 3
Description of Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Classical CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Classical CDs
Winterscapesby London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops:
The Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebeeby Dini Petty
Children's Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.38
Price in other shops:
Classical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs CdrRelease date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
![Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] Image](/images/Jose-Carreras-Jubileum-Concert-VHS-1584481471-X.jpg){kind=small}
Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops:
![Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] Image](/images/Tchaikovsky-The-Nutcracker-Nureyev-Park-Royal-Ballet-VHS-156127092X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops:
![Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] Image](/images/Lonely-Town-Lonley-Street-Sergeant-Early-Dream-VHS-1561270857-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Winter Music: Composing the Northby John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $21.90
Price in other shops:
![Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Puccini-La-Fanciulla-del-West-Santi-Domingo-Neblett-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720382-X.jpg){kind=small}
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops:
![Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Verdi-Falstaff-Giulini-Bruson-Ricciarelli-Nucci-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720358-X.jpg){kind=small}
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Northern Lights: Choral Works by Ola GjeiloRelease date: 2012-02-28; Music CD
Best price: $14.29
Price in other shops:
Janácek: Missa Glagolitica (Glagolitic Mass) / Tagebuch eines Verschollenen (Diary of One who has Disappeared) ~ KubelikRelease date: 2002-07-16; Music CD
Best price: $6.58
Price in other shops:
Eric Whitacre - Light & GoldRelease date: 2010-10-19; Music CD
Best price: $10.66
Price in other shops:
Faure Requiem Op.48 / Durufle Requiem Op.9Release date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $11.95
Price in other shops:
Walton: Symphony No. 1; Orb & Sceptre; Crown ImperialRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $6.18
Price in other shops:
Vivaldi: Gloria; Bach: MagnificatRelease date: 1989-05-19; Music CD
Best price: $11.51
Price in other shops:
Bach: Mass in B minor / McNair, Ziegler, Simpson, Aler, Stone, Paul; ShawRelease date: 1990-10-10; Music CD
Best price: $12.16
Price in other shops:
Sir William Walton: Collected WorksRelease date: 2002-07-23; Music CD
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops:
Poulenc: Gloria; Concerto for Organ; Stravinsky: Symphony of PsalmsRelease date: 2004-08-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.32
Price in other shops:
Walton: Belshazzar's FeastRelease date: 2004-05-18; Music CD
Best price: $5.01
Price in other shops: