Postcard from London
London – a multi-cultural melting pot, whose sights, sounds and populace have provided inspiration to composers from Henry Purcell to Ralph Vaughan Williams, Handel to Hendrix. Birthplace of Thomas Arne, York Bowen, George Butterworth, Ethel Smyth, Kaikhosru Sorabji and many more; home to Haydn, Holst, Bridge, Ireland and others, London is celebrated in music, from pieces written for the royal court to works which evoke London's landmarks and street scenes, its places and people.
Read more…- Gibbons • The Cries of London MB 22/67 • 1. God give you good morrowThe Cries of London MB 22/67
1. God give you good morrowPaul Hillier, Fretwork, Theatre of Voices℗ 2006 - McTell • Streets of London (arr. for guitar) • I. Streets of LondonStreets of London (arr. for guitar)
I. Streets of LondonJohn Christopher Williams (Guitar)℗ 1986 - Butterworth • The Banks of Green Willow for Orchestra (1913)The Banks of Green Willow for Orchestra (1913)Kriss Russman, BBC National Orchestra of WalesJanuary 2015, Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre, Hoddinott Hall
- Haydn • Symphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104 “London” • I. Adagio – AllegroSymphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104
I. Adagio – AllegroSir Roger Norrington, London Classical Players℗ 1994 - Haydn • Symphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104 “London” • II. AndanteSymphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104
II. AndanteSir Roger Norrington, London Classical Players℗ 1994 - Haydn • Symphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104 “London” • III. Menuet. Allegro – TrioSymphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104
III. Menuet. Allegro – TrioSir Roger Norrington, London Classical Players℗ 1994 - Haydn • Symphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104 “London” • IV. Finale. SpiritosoSymphony No. 104 in D major Hob. I:104
IV. Finale. SpiritosoSir Roger Norrington, London Classical Players℗ 1994 - Coates • London Suite (1932) “London Everyday” • 3. Knightsbridge: MarchLondon Suite (1932)
3. Knightsbridge: MarchRumon Gamba, BBC PhilharmonicOctober 2001, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House - Sherwin • A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (arr. for wind ensemble) • I. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley SquareA Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (arr. for wind ensemble)
I. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley SquareJeff Funderburk, Symphonia℗ 2012 - Purcell • Funeral Sentences and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary Z 860 / Z 27 / Z 17 / Z 58C • The Queen's Funeral March. Sounded before her ChariotFuneral Sentences and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary Z 860 / Z 27 / Z 17 / Z 58C
The Queen's Funeral March. Sounded before her ChariotDavid Blackadder (Trumpet), Phillip Bainbridge (Trumpet), Susan Addison (Trumpet), Stephen Saunders (Trumpet), Stephen CleoburyRemastered
Academy of Ancient Music℗ 2006 - Purcell • Funeral Sentences and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary Z 860 / Z 27 / Z 17 / Z 58C • CanzonaFuneral Sentences and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary Z 860 / Z 27 / Z 17 / Z 58C
CanzonaDavid Blackadder (Trumpet), Phillip Bainbridge (Trumpet), Susan Addison (Trumpet), Stephen Saunders (Trumpet), Stephen CleoburyRemastered
Academy of Ancient Music℗ 2006 - Ireland • Ballade of London Nights (1930)Ballade of London Nights (1930)Maria Marchant (Piano)February 2017, Southampton, Turner Sims Concert Hall Southampton
- Purcell • Come Ye Sons of Art Z 323 • No. 2 Ritornello 'Come ye sons of art' (Tenor, Chorus)Come Ye Sons of Art Z 323
No. 2 Ritornello 'Come ye sons of art' (Tenor, Chorus)Emily Van Evera (Soprano), Timothy Wilson (Countertenor), John Mark Ainsley (Tenor), Charles Daniels (Tenor), David Thomas (Bass), Andrew Parrott
Taverner Consort, Taverner Choir℗ 1989, London, Abbey Road - Purcell • Come Ye Sons of Art Z 323 • No. 3 Duet 'Sound the trumpet' (Tenor I, Tenor II)Come Ye Sons of Art Z 323
No. 3 Duet 'Sound the trumpet' (Tenor I, Tenor II)Emily Van Evera (Soprano), Timothy Wilson (Countertenor), John Mark Ainsley (Tenor), Charles Daniels (Tenor), David Thomas (Bass), Andrew Parrott
Taverner Consort, Taverner Choir℗ 1989, London, Abbey Road - Bridge • Canzonetta H. 169 (1926) "Happy South" (Version for Piano) • Allegretto molto moderato e rubatoCanzonetta H. 169 (1926) "Happy South" (Version for Piano)
Allegretto molto moderato e rubatoMark Bebbington (Piano)January 2010, Birmingham, CBSO Centre, Birmingham - Bowen • Berceuse in D major op. 83 • Berceuse for Piano in D major op. 83Berceuse in D major op. 83
Berceuse for Piano in D major op. 83Cristina Ortiz (Piano)December 2012, Monmouth, Wyastone Concert Hall - Handel • Water Music HWV 348-350 • XII. Alla Hornpipe (HWV 349/12)Water Music HWV 348-350
XII. Alla Hornpipe (HWV 349/12)Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin℗ 2016 - Walton • Crown Imperial (A Coronation March) (1937) • Allegro realeCrown Imperial (A Coronation March) (1937)
Allegro realeWilliam Boughton, New Haven Symphony Orchestra2013, New Haven, Woolsey Hall, New Haven - Purcell • Hail, Bright Cecilia! Z 328 • No. 13 Chorus 'Hail, bright Cecilia, hail to thee!'Hail, Bright Cecilia! Z 328
No. 13 Chorus 'Hail, bright Cecilia, hail to thee!'Jennifer Smith (Soprano), Ashley Stafford (Countertenor), Brian Gordon (Alto), Paul Elliott (Tenor), Stephen Varcoe (Bass), David Thomas (Bass), Sir John Eliot Gardiner
English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir℗ 1983 - Elgar • Cockaigne (In London Town), Overture op. 40Cockaigne (In London Town), Overture op. 40Sakari Oramo, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic OrchestraNovember 2013, Stockholm, Stockholm Concert Hall
- Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • I. Ouverture. Adagio – Allegro – Lentement – AllegroMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
I. Ouverture. Adagio – Allegro – Lentement – AllegroTrevor Pinnock, The English Concert℗ 1985 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • II. BourréeMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
II. BourréeTrevor Pinnock, The English Concert℗ 1985 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • III. La Paix. Largo alla SicilianaMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
III. La Paix. Largo alla SicilianaTrevor Pinnock, The English Concert℗ 1985 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • IV. La Réjouissance. AllegroMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
IV. La Réjouissance. AllegroTrevor Pinnock, The English Concert℗ 1985 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • V. Menuet IMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
V. Menuet ITrevor Pinnock, The English Concert℗ 1985 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • VI. Menuet IIMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
VI. Menuet IITrevor Pinnock, The English Concert℗ 1985 - Wood • London Cameos for Orchestra (1947) • 1. The City. Miniature OvertureLondon Cameos for Orchestra (1947)
1. The City. Miniature OvertureAdrian Leaper, Slovak Radio Symphony OrchestraMarch 1991, Bratislava, Concert Hall of the Slovak Radio - Wood • London Cameos for Orchestra (1947) • 2. St. Jame's Park in Spring. IntermissionLondon Cameos for Orchestra (1947)
2. St. Jame's Park in Spring. IntermissionAdrian Leaper, Slovak Radio Symphony OrchestraMarch 1991, Bratislava, Concert Hall of the Slovak Radio - Wood • London Cameos for Orchestra (1947) • 3. A State Ball at Buckingham Palace. FinaleLondon Cameos for Orchestra (1947)
3. A State Ball at Buckingham Palace. FinaleAdrian Leaper, Slovak Radio Symphony OrchestraMarch 1991, Bratislava, Concert Hall of the Slovak Radio - Ireland • London Pieces (1920) • 1. Chelsea ReachLondon Pieces (1920)
1. Chelsea ReachMark Bebbington (Piano)2007, Birmingham, Symphony Hall Birmingham - Ireland • London Pieces (1920) • 2. RagamuffinLondon Pieces (1920)
2. RagamuffinMark Bebbington (Piano)2007, Birmingham, Symphony Hall Birmingham - Ireland • London Pieces (1920) • 3. Soho ForenoonsLondon Pieces (1920)
3. Soho ForenoonsMark Bebbington (Piano)2007, Birmingham, Symphony Hall Birmingham - Gordon • Van Gogh (1991) • LondonVan Gogh (1991)
LondonSarah Chalfy (Soprano), Matthew Hensrud (Tenor), Clay Greenberg (Bass), Alan Pierson
Alarm Will Sound2006 - 2007, New York, Clinton Recording Studios - Ireland • A London Overture for Orchestra (1936)A London Overture for Orchestra (1936)Richard Hickox, London Symphony OrchestraApril 1990, London, St Jude on the Hill, Hampstead, London
- Bax • London Pageant (1937)London Pageant (1937)Martyn Brabbins, BBC PhilharmonicJune 2000, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House
- Vaughan Williams • Symphony No. 2 (1913-1914) “A London Symphony” • I. Lento - Allegro risolutoSymphony No. 2 (1913-1914)
I. Lento - Allegro risolutoChristopher Seaman, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra℗ 2012 - Vaughan Williams • Symphony No. 2 (1913-1914) “A London Symphony” • II. LentoSymphony No. 2 (1913-1914)
II. LentoChristopher Seaman, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra℗ 2012 - Vaughan Williams • Symphony No. 2 (1913-1914) “A London Symphony” • III. Scherzo (Nocturne). Allegro vivaceSymphony No. 2 (1913-1914)
III. Scherzo (Nocturne). Allegro vivaceChristopher Seaman, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra℗ 2012 - Vaughan Williams • Symphony No. 2 (1913-1914) “A London Symphony” • IV. Finale. Andante con moto - Maestoso alla marcia - Lento - Epilogue. Andante sostenutoSymphony No. 2 (1913-1914)
IV. Finale. Andante con moto - Maestoso alla marcia - Lento - Epilogue. Andante sostenutoChristopher Seaman, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra℗ 2012 - Norman • London • II. No. 2. London E17
London has always been a vibrant centre for music making, and its outstanding orchestras and performers continue to draw composers and musicians to the city. Haydn, who first visited London on New Year's Day in 1791, wrote a dozen richly-scored 'London' symphonies during his two visits. Mozart visited London as a young child and wrote his first symphony there as well as a clutch of charming piano miniatures. Chopin also visited London in 1848, the year before he died, where he played for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - and complained about the British weather.
Vaughan Williams' London Symphony includes the calls of street vendors and the chimes of Westminster Abbey, evokes Hampstead Heath on a Sunday afternoon, and depicts the flow of London's great river, the Thames. Eric Coates, whose London Suite pays a musical homage to various London locations, is said to have drawn inspiration for one of his marches from the distinctive red London pillar box, and he was most happy working amongst the sounds and excitement of London. Elgar's Cockaigne Overture also celebrates the vibrancy and noisy excess of London while Katherine Norman's 'London' (2012) also uses the myriad sounds of London's streetlife, including the rattle and hiss of the Underground, to create a vivid portrait of everyday life in this great city.