Best of British: The Nation's Favourite Classical Music

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

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▼ CD 1
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1The Lark Ascending
violin:
David Nolan (violinist and conductor)
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conductor:
Vernon Handley (conductor)
recording of:
The Lark Ascending (for violin and orchestra)
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer) (in 1914)
premiered at:
[concert] (1921-06-14)
premiered at:
Queen’s Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1921-06-14)
arrangement of:
The Lark Ascending (for violin and piano)
Ralph Vaughan Williams14:50
2The Planets - Suite, H125, op. 32: 4. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (Allegro giocoso)
orchestra:
Philharmonia Orchestra (London orchestra, known as New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1964-1976)
conductor:
Simon Rattle (conductor)
recording of:
The Planets, op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
composer:
Gustav Holst (composer) (from 1914 until 1916)
orchestration of:
The Planets, op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (for two pianos)
part of:
The Planets, op. 32 (Suite for Large Orchestra)
Gustav Holst8:05
3Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85: III. Adagio
cello:
Robert Cohen (cellist)
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conductor:
Norman Del Mar (conductor)
recording of:
Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85: III. Adagio
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (from 1918 until 1919)
part of:
Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85
Edward Elgar5:02
4Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: Hallelujah (chorus: Allegro)
choir vocals:
Ambrosian Singers (aka Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Ambrosian Chorus / Ambrosian Choir)
solo vocals:
Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano and alto), Paul Esswood (countertenor), Elizabeth Harwood (soprano), Raimund Herincx (bass-baritone) and Robert Tear (tenor)
orchestra:
English Chamber Orchestra
conductor:
Charles Mackerras (Australian conductor)
recording of:
Messiah, HWV 56: Part II, no. 44. Chorus: “Hallelujah”
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1741)
part of:
Messiah, HWV 56: Part II
George Frideric Handel3:59
5Variations on an Original Theme, op. 36, "Enigma": IX. Nimrod (Adagio)
orchestra:
London Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Sir Adrian Boult (conductor)
recording of:
Variations on an Original Theme (‘Enigma’), op. 36: IX. Nimrod (Adagio)
publisher:
Sir Edward Elgar (dec’d) (composer)
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1899)
dedicated to:
Augustus J. Jaeger
part of:
Variations on an Original Theme (‘Enigma’), op. 36
Edward Elgar3:51
6Water Music, Suite in F: Air
conductor:
Arthur Davidson (conductor)
performer:
The Virtuosi of England
recording of:
Water Music, Suite no. 1 in F major, HWV 348: V. Air. Presto
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1717)
part of:
Water Music Suite no. 1 in F major, HWV 348
George Frideric Handel4:09
7The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace): X. Agnus Dei
trumpet:
Paul Beniston (trumpet player)
choir vocals:
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conductor:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
recording of:
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace: Agnus Dei
composer:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
part of:
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace (the complete work)
Karl Jenkins3:35
8Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
violin:
Malcolm Stewart (violinist)
orchestra:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Vernon Handley (conductor)
recording of:
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer) (in 1910)
is based on:
Nine Psalm Tunes for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter: No. 3 “Why Fum’th in Fight” (Psalm 2)
Ralph Vaughan Williams14:42
9Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: For unto us a child is born (chorus: Andante allegro)
choir vocals:
Ambrosian Singers (aka Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Ambrosian Chorus / Ambrosian Choir)
solo vocals:
Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano and alto), Paul Esswood (countertenor), Elizabeth Harwood (soprano), Raimund Herincx (bass-baritone) and Robert Tear (tenor)
orchestra:
English Chamber Orchestra
conductor:
Charles Mackerras (Australian conductor)
recording of:
Messiah, HWV 56: Part I, no. 12. Chorus “For Unto Us a Child Is Born”
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1741)
part of:
Messiah, HWV 56: Part I
George Frideric Handel4:18
10Fantasia on 'Greensleeves'
harp:
Mair Jones (Welsh harpist)
orchestra:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Vernon Handley (conductor)
recording of:
Fantasia on “Greensleeves”
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer) (from 1924 until 1928)
arranger:
Ralph Greaves (in 1934)
publisher:
Oxford University Press (in 1936)
is based on:
Greensleeves (generic entry for traditional and unknown arrangements)
is based on:
Lovely Joan (traditional English folk song)
is based on:
Sir John in Love
Ralph Vaughan Williams4:07
11Pomp and Circumstance - Military Marches, op. 39: No. 4 in G
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conductor:
Vernon Handley (conductor)
recording of:
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, op. 39: March no. 4 in G major
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1907)
premiered at:
Queen’s Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1907-08-24)
part of:
Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches, op. 39
Edward Elgar4:44
12The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38, Part II: Softly and Gently (Angel, Chorus, Semi-Chorus)
choir vocals:
Ambrosian Singers (aka Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Ambrosian Chorus / Ambrosian Choir) and Hallé Choir
vocals:
Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano and alto), Kim Borg (operatic bass) and Richard Lewis (Welsh tenor)
conductor:
Sir John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist)
performer:
Eric Chadwick (chorus master), John McCarthy (British choral conductor, scholar, composer and arranger) and Martin Milner
recording of:
The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38: Part II, VIII. Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul (Cues 127–137)
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1900)
part of:
The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38
Edward Elgar6:55
▼ CD 2
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Thine be the glory (Maccabaeus)
brass:
The Wallace Collection (brass ensemble)
instruments:
The Wallace Collection (brass ensemble)
organ:
Thomas Williamson and Tom Williamson
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor)
recorded at:
King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom
recording of:
Thine be the glory (on 2000-01-01)
lyricist:
Edmond Louis Budry
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer)
translator:
Richard Hoyle
version of:
Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63: Act III, no. 58: “See the Conqu’ring Hero Comes” (Chorus of Youths, Chorus of Virgins)
George Frideric Handel2:57
2Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus'
orchestra:
Royal Northern Sinfonia
conductor:
Richard Hickox (conductor)
recording of:
Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus"
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer)
is based on:
Dives and Lazarus
Ralph Vaughan Williams10:34
3Coronation Anthems (1727): Zadok the Priest, HWV 258
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
vocals:
Michael Chance (British countertenor), Charles Daniels (tenor), Gerald Finley (bass-baritone) and Paul Smy (treble / tenor)
orchestra:
English Chamber Orchestra
conductor:
Philip Ledger
performer:
John Butt (conductor and organist) and John Langdon (organist)
recording of:
The Four Coronation Anthems: “Zadok the Priest”, HWV 258
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1727)
premiered at:
Westminster Abbey in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1727-10-11)
part of:
Händel-Werke-Verzeichnis (number: HWV 258)
part of:
The Four Coronation Anthems
George Frideric Handel6:07
4The Banks of Green Willow Idyll
orchestra:
English Sinfonia
conductor:
Neville Dilkes
recording of:
The Banks of Green Willow, Idyll
composer:
George Butterworth (composer) (in 1913)
George Butterworth6:04
5A Gaelic Blessing (Words Adapted from an Old Gaelic Rune)
organ:
Andrew Lucas (organist)
choir vocals:
St Paul’s Cathedral Choristers
orchestra:
City of London Sinfonia (chamber orchestra)
conductor:
John Scott (organist, choirmaster)
recording of:
Gaelic Blessing (aka Deep Peace)
composer:
John Rutter (English choral music composer, conductor, arranger and producer, born 1945) (in 1978)
was commissioned by:
Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church (Omaha, Nebraska)
publisher:
Oxford University Press and Hinshaw Music (in 1978)
John Rutter1:47
6English Dances, Set II, op. 33: 5. Allegro non troppo
orchestra:
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Sir Charles Groves (conductor)
recording of:
English Dances Set 2, for Orchestra, op. 33: I, Allegro non troppo
composer:
Malcolm Arnold (composer)
part of:
English Dances Set 2, for Orchestra, op. 33
Malcolm Arnold3:06
7The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38, Part II: But Hark! A Grand Mysterious Harmony (Soul, Angel, Chorus)
vocals:
Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano and alto), Kim Borg (operatic bass) and Richard Lewis (Welsh tenor)
conductor:
Sir John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist)
performer:
Eric Chadwick (chorus master), John McCarthy (British choral conductor, scholar, composer and arranger) and Martin Milner
recording of:
The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38: Part II, V. But hark! a grand mysterious harmony (Cues 71–101)
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1900)
part of:
The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38
Edward Elgar8:13
8Water Music, Suite in F: Bourrée
orchestra:
The Virtuosi of England (in 1974-01)
conductor:
Arthur Davidson (conductor) (in 1974-01)
performer:
The Virtuosi of England
recorded at:
Fairfield Halls in Croydon, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1974-01)
recording of:
French Suite no. 6 in E major, BWV 817: VII. Bourrée
composer:
Johann Sebastian Bach (German Baroque period composer & musician)
part of:
Französische Suite Nr. 6 E-dur, BWV 817
recording of:
Water Music, Suite no. 1 in F major, HWV 348: VII. Bourrée. Presto
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1717)
part of:
Water Music Suite no. 1 in F major, HWV 348
George Frideric Handel2:24
9Three Preludes Founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes: 2. Rhosymedre (Melody By J. D. Edwards, 1805-1885)
orchestra:
Royal Northern Sinfonia
conductor:
Richard Hickox (conductor)
recording of:
Rhosymedre (orchestrated by Foster)
orchestrator:
Arnold Foster
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer)
orchestration of:
Organ Prelude on Rhosymedre
Ralph Vaughan Williams / Arnold Foster4:09
10Jerusalem
choir vocals:
Goldsmiths Choral Union
orchestra:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Owain Arwel Hughes
recording of:
Jerusalem (orchestrated by Elgar)
orchestrator:
Edward Elgar (composer)
lyricist:
William Blake (English poet, painter, and printmaker)
composer:
Hubert Parry (English composer)
orchestration of:
Jerusalem (anthem by Hubert Parry)
Parry orch. Elgar2:45
11Solomon, HWV 67: Sinfonia (The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba)
orchestra:
Hallé Orchestra
conductor:
Owain Arwel Hughes
recording of:
Solomon, HWV 67: Act III. Sinfonia “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1748)
publisher:
Hallische Händel‐Ausgabe der Georg‐Friedrich‐Händel‐Gesellschaft
part of:
Solomon, HWV 67: Act III
George Frideric Handel3:23
12Spem in alium
choir vocals:
Taverner Choir
conductor:
Andrew Parrott (conductor)
recording of:
Spem in alium
composer:
Thomas Tallis (composer)
Thomas Tallis10:15
13Water Music, Suite in D: Alla Hornpipe
conductor:
Arthur Davidson (conductor)
performer:
The Virtuosi of England
recording of:
Water Music, Suite no. 2 in D major, HWV 349: 12. Alla hornpipe
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1717)
part of:
Water Music Suite no. 2 in D major, HWV 349
George Frideric Handel3:17
14Adiemus: Adiemus
performer:
Adiemus
recording of:
Adiemus
orchestrator and composer:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
writer:
Mike Ratledge
publisher:
FB Media in GSA
part of:
Adiemus I: Songs of Sanctuary
Karl Jenkins3:56
15Crown Imperial: Coronation March
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conductor:
Sir Adrian Boult (conductor)
recording of:
Crown Imperial (march)
composer:
William Walton (composer and conductor) (in 1937)
publisher:
Oxford University Press
Sir William Walton8:33
▼ CD 3
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1English Folk Songs - Suite: I. March (Seventeen Come Sunday)
orchestra:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (from 1990-11-30 until 1990-12-01)
conductor:
Vernon Handley (conductor) (from 1990-11-30 until 1990-12-01)
recorded at:
Philharmonic Hall (Liverpool) in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom (from 1990-11-30 until 1990-12-01)
recording of:
English Folk Song Suite: I. March “Seventeen Come Sunday” (orchestrated by Jacob) (from 1990-11-30 until 1990-12-01)
orchestrator:
Gordon Jacob (composer) (in 1924)
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer) (in 1923)
publisher:
Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers, Ltd
arrangement of:
English Folk Song Suite: I. March “Seventeen Come Sunday” (for military band)
part of:
English Folk Song Suite (orch. Jacob)
Ralph Vaughan Williams / Gordon Jacob3:09
2Requiem: 1. Requiem Aeternam
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
orchestra:
Sinfonia of London (John Wilson’s session orchestra)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor)
recording of:
Requiem: I. Requiem æternam
composer:
John Rutter (English choral music composer, conductor, arranger and producer, born 1945) (in 1985)
part of:
Requiem
John Rutter5:37
3Chanson De Matin, op. 15 no. 2
orchestra:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Lawrance Collingwood
recording of:
Chanson de matin, op. 15 no. 2 (for orchestra)
orchestrator and composer:
Edward Elgar (composer)
premiered at:
Queen’s Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1901-09-14)
arrangement of:
Chanson de matin, op. 15 no. 2 (for violin and piano)
Edward Elgar3:38
4Water Music, Suite in D: Bourrée
conductor:
Arthur Davison (conductor)
performer:
The Virtuosi of England
recording of:
Water Music, Suite no. 2 in D major, HWV 349: 15. Bourrée
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1717)
part of:
Water Music Suite no. 2 in D major, HWV 349
George Frideric Handel1:32
5The Dam Busters March
orchestra:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Sir Charles Groves (conductor)
recording of:
The Dam Busters March
composer:
Eric Coates (composer) (in 1955)
publisher:
Chappell & Co.
Eric Coates3:56
6Requiem: In paradisum
harp:
Catrin Finch
conductor:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
recording of:
Requiem: In Paradisum
composer:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
part of:
Requiem (by Karl Jenkins)
Karl Jenkins5:23
7Music for the Royal Fireworks: La Réjouissance
conductor:
Arthur Davison (conductor)
performer:
The Virtuosi of England
recording of:
Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: IV. La Réjouissance
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1749)
part of:
Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351
George Frideric Handel2:12
8Simple Symphony, op. 4: III. Sentimental Saraband
orchestra:
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
conductor:
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor)
recording of:
Simple Symphony, op. 4: III. Sentimental Saraband
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1933-12 until 1934-02)
part of:
Simple Symphony, op. 4
Benjamin Britten7:08
9Warsaw Concerto
producer:
Beatrix Musker
piano:
Daniel Adni (pianist)
orchestra:
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Alwyn (conductor)
balance engineer:
Stuart Eltham (engineer)
recording of:
Warsaw Concerto (Dangerous Moonlight)
orchestrator:
Roy Douglas (British composer, pianist)
composer:
Richard Addinsell (composer)
part of:
Dangerous Moonlight (film soundtrack)
Richard Addinsell8:56
10Serenade for Strings in E minor, op. 20: II. Larghetto
producer:
Christopher Bishop (conductor/producer)
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) (from 1972-10-29 until 1972-12-10)
conductor:
Sir Adrian Boult (conductor) (from 1972-10-29 until 1972-12-10)
balance engineer:
Christopher Parker (classical recording and balance engineer, active from 1950s)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI-owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1973, in 1985)
recorded at:
Kingsway Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (from 1972-10-29 until 1972-10-30)
recording of:
Serenade for Strings in E minor, op. 20: II. Larghetto (from 1972-10-29 until 1972-12-10)
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1892)
part of:
Serenade for Strings in E minor, op. 20
Edward Elgar5:23
11Music for the Royal Fireworks: Minuets I & II
conductor:
Arthur Davison (conductor)
performer:
The Virtuosi of England
recording of:
Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: V. Menuet I and II
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer) (in 1749)
part of:
Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351
George Frideric Handel2:23
12The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace): XII. Benedictus
cello:
Guy Johnston (cellist)
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conductor:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
recording of:
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace: Benedictus
composer:
Karl Jenkins (Welsh composer, conductor and instrumentalist)
part of:
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace (the complete work)
Karl Jenkins7:36
13Salut d'amour, op. 12
orchestra:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Lawrance Collingwood
recording of:
Salut d’amour, op. 12 (for orchestra)
composer and arranger:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1888)
premiered at:
The Crystal Palace in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1889-11-11)
arrangement of:
Salut d’amour, op. 12 (for violin and piano)
Edward Elgar3:49
14On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
orchestra:
Royal Northern Sinfonia
conductor:
Richard Hickox (conductor)
recording of:
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, RT vi/19/1
composer:
Frederick Delius (composer) (in 1912)
dedicated to:
Balfour Gardiner
Frederick Delius6:05
15Façade - Two Suites for Orchestra: Popular Song (Grazioso) (II/5)
orchestra:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Louis Frémaux (conductor)
recording of:
Façade Suite no. 2: V. Popular Song
composer:
William Walton (composer and conductor)
part of:
Façade Suite no. 2 (orchestral suite without reciter)
Sir William Walton2:17
16Henry V - Suite: 4. Touch Her Soft Lips and Part
orchestra:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Sir Charles Groves (conductor)
recording of:
Henry V Suite: Touch her soft lips and part (arranged Malcolm Sargent)
composer:
William Walton (composer and conductor)
arranger:
Sir Malcolm Sargent (conductor)
part of:
Henry V Suite (for choir and orchestra, Sargent)
Sir William Walton / Muir Mathieson1:52
17Coronation Ode, op. 44: VI. Land of Hope and Glory
instruments:
The Band of the Royal Military School of Music
vocals:
Felicity Lott (soprano)
performer:
Cambridge University Musical Society (CUMS)
recording of:
Coronation Ode, op. 44: VI. Finale: “Land of Hope and Glory” (contralto soloist, with chorus)
lyricist:
Arthur Christopher Benson
composer:
Edward Elgar (composer) (in 1902)
is based on:
Pomp and Circumstance Marches, op. 39: March no. 1 in D major
part of:
Coronation Ode, op. 44
Edward Elgar4:32

Credits

Release

ASIN:UK: B003VW3CTU [info]