Polyphony

Polyphony was formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. After successive concerts there, consisting primarily of early music, the group moved its base to London, and has subsequently expanded its field of activities. For several years the choir provided the music for services in the fine Wren city church of St Stephen’s Walbrook. Polyphony has given concerts in France, Spain, Brazil, Denmark and at festivals all over the UK. They perform regularly in London at St John’s Smith Square. Their performances have received enthusiastic acclaim in the press: the St John Passion was hailed in The Times as a ‘Passion to remember’ and according to The Evening Standard Polyphony’s rendition of Messiah was a ‘vivid injection of the freshest air’.

Polyphony made a double BBC Proms debut in 1995 with performances of Arvo Pärt’s St John Passion with The Hilliard Ensemble, and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas with Les Musiciens du Louvre. They performed the world premiere of Oceanos by James Dillon in 1996 and, in the same year, Schnittke’s Symphony No. 2 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, and an EBU broadcast of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. For the last few Christmases Polyphony has performed a cappella concerts and had sell-out performances of Messiah at St. John’s, Smith Square. They continue to give regular radio broadcasts including two BBC lunchtime concerts in 1999, performing music by Poulenc, Rautavaara and Tormis, and a BBC Radio 3 recording of Bach’s St John Passion in London on Good Friday 2002. Director Stephen Layton

Poulenc - Gloria and Motets

Stephen Layton and Polyphony continue to blaze a trail as dazzling interpreters of a wide range of choral music. Here they turn to some of the most bewitching and distinctive choral works of the twentieth century. Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) imbued this well-loved music with a deep expression of his faith and unique personality. Each motet, with its own delightfully etched character, echoes the composer’s study of Bach, Monteverdi, Palestrina, or Gabrieli, but remains stylistically progressive, containing Poulenc’s ingenious chord progressions. The Gloria is one of his most enduringly appealing works. In some ways straightforwardly pious, it is also tinged with mischievous irreverence and a sense of rollicking enjoyment – facets which are deftly captured here by the soprano soloist Susan Gritton, Polyphony, the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the Britten Sinfonia, all led by Stephen Layton.

Bruckner - Mass in E minor and Motets

The a cappella motets of Anton Bruckner (1824- 1896) are miniature masterpieces, containing intensely expressive harmonic writing and a feeling of private devotion within a generously scaled framework. Here the selection includes Ave Maria, Locus iste, Christus factus est, Vexilla Regis, Os iusti, Virga Jesse floruit and Pange lingua. At the other end of the spectrum, the sensuous Mass No. 2 in E minor inhabits the world of Bruckner’s monumental symphonies. Stephen Layton leads the GRAMMY®-nominated choir Polyphony (and the Britten Sinfonia, in the Mass) in these gloriously passionate performances.

Morten Lauridsen: Lauridsen - Noctunes

As their recording of Eric Whitacre had a chart-topping run on both sides of the Atlantic, Stephen Layton and Polyphony returned to the studio and put down a second disc devoted to the choral music of Whitacre’s compatriot Morten Lauridsen. The popular cycles Mid-Winter Songs and Les chansons des roses (the final number of which, "Dirait-on," caused something of a publishing sensation on its first appearance) are joined by four premiere recordings: two early Psalm settings, and two new works written during the preparations for this recording. Performances from Layton and musicians are every bit as polished as we have come to expect. Polyphony is joined by the Britten Sinfonia for the Mid-Winter Songs, Andrew Lucas for the organ-accompanied Psalm and the composer himself on finger cymbals for Ave, dulcissima Maria. This new disc is certainly a worthy successor to the same forces' GRAMMY© nominated Lux aeterna.

Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other Choral Works

At the age of only 35, Eric Whitacre has already gained a reputation in the United States that many composers strive for a lifetime to achieve. The American Record Guide named his first recording one of the top ten classical albums in 1997, and the Los Angeles Times described his music as having ‘electric, chilling harmonies; works of unearthly beauty and imagination’. His Water Night (included on this new recording) has become one of the most popular choral works of the last decade, and is one of the top-selling choral publications of all time. Whitacre’s published works have sold well over 350,000 copies worldwide. And who better to represent an innovative young choral composer than Stephen Layton and Polyphony, award-winning exponents of twentieth-century choral music? Under Layton’s directorship, Polyphony handles Whitacre’s evocative and soulful music with consummate artistry; from the quiet intensity of Sleep to the breathtaking exuberance of With a lily in your hand, by way of the tender innocence of This Marriage (one of three premiere recordings on the disc), this new recording is a stunning showcase both for an up-and-coming young composer and also for the awesome talents of one of the UK’s leading choirs.

Morten Lauridsen - Lux Aeterna

Stephen Layton directs his 21-mixed-voice Polyphony, which he founded in 1986 at King's College, Cambridge, in some of Morten Lauridsen's most beloved works, accompanied by the Britten Sinfonia. The 5 movements of title tune are first, and is as lovely (accompanied, of course) as we have ever heard it. "Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems" follow, exuberant, spirited a cappella pieces. The recording concludes with Lauridsen's beautiful a cappella "Ave Maria," haunting, chantlike "Ubi caritas et amor" and the classic "O magnum mysterium." Lauridsen is pictured in the extensive liner notes giving his personal direction to the making of this very fine CD. The best of Lauridsen from talented Polyphony, directed by Layton, and with a wonderful Pre-Raphaelite painting of an angel on the cover—who could ask for more?

Benjamin Britten is one of England's most revered composers of the 20th century. From operas to songs, he knew how to write for the voice. Well known for his works for children's voices, his writing for adult choirs is not as often performed. Polyphony, led by Stephen Layton, sings some of his great choral pieces. "Five Flower Songs," with texts by Herrick, Crabbe and Clare, range from the lush tones of "To Daffodils" to the harsher and stinging tones used to depict the more earthy plants described in "Marsh Flowers." Britten composed "Sacred and Profane" as a virtuoso display piece for Peter Pears' Wilbye Singers. The eight medieval lyrics are combined with difficult but exquisite harmonies to create amazing sounds.

7158 CD $16.98

If John Tavener’s music has always been concerned with eternity, and if it has always confounded those who have horizons no wider than Western traditions of the recent past, it is also true to say that the ways in which he has dealt with the sacred in his work have been characterized by considerable variety, and have never ceased on occasion to surprise. Initially, surprise was caused by his stripping away of the unnecessary, his quest for the musically – and therefore the spiritually – essential. This quest led to a vast outpouring of music, encompassing a great many miniatures and large-scale compositions of the stature of the Vigil Service and Eis Thanaton. 'The power of Tavener at his best is fully unlocked by Polyphony and Stephen Layton, whose sensitivity to the sacred and human in his music communicates in every work on this disc' (Classic FM Magazine).

Gloria (a concert work, despite the use of a religious text) was commissioned by the Voices of Mel Olson in Omaha, Nebraska, who invited Rutter to direct the first performance in 1974. The words come from the second section (the Hymn of Praise) of the Ordinary of the Mass, which in the liturgy follows the 'Kyrie'. The familiar opening words are those of the angels proclaiming the birth of Jesus, as found in the second chapter of Luke's Gospel. Rutter's setting is based largely on one of the Gregorian chants with which the text is associated. He describes the three movements as '… roughly corresponding to traditional symphonic structure', the mood of the sections being respectively '… exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns'. The use of organ, brass and percussion makes for plenty of Waltonian punch in the outer movements and yet also for a hauntingly ethereal middle section. 'Delicious performances of Rutter’s wonderfully approachable and finely crafted vocal writing. The sound, too, is outstanding' (Gramophone)

7991 CD $17.98

At Twilight - Percy Grainger / Edvard Grieg

Irish Tune from County Derry
Dollar and a Half a Day
Shenandoah
Stormy
The Gypsy's Wedding Day
Brigg Fair
O Mistress Mine
How Fair is Thy face
God's Son hath set me free
Jesus Christ our Lord is risen
In heav'n above
Ave, Maris Stella
Soldier, soldier
Mary Thomson
Ye banks and braes
Dalvisa
Australian Up-Country Song
Near Woodstock Town
The Sussex Mummers' Carol
A Song of Varmeland
At Twilight

The pairing of music by Percy Grainger and Edvard Grieg at first may seem odd. In fact, though, the two composers were good friends. Grieg lauded Grainger's folk song settings as helping to create "an independent English music." The choral music of Grainger and Grieg on this CD, sung gloriously by Polyphony, was written in the early 1900's. Most of Grainger's settings are of English folk songs, though there are a few Irish and Scotch ones as well. The CD also includes a song from Grainger's native Australia (Track 18 Australian Up-Country Song). The Four Psalms by Grieg are his last completed works and are based on Norwegian church melodies. To further connect the composers, the English translations of the psalms were written by Grainger. This wonderful recording also features soloists tenor Paul Agnew and baritone David Wilson-Johnson.

7157 CD $12.98

A Christmas Present

Silent Night (John Rutter)
Sing Lullaby (Herbert Howells)
All This Time (William Walton)
Ave, Maris Stella (Edvard Grieg)
Die Konige (Peter Cornelius)
O Morgenstern (Arvo Part)
Magnificat (Arvo Part)
Nativity Carol (John Rutter)
The Sussex Mummer's Carol (Peter Granger, Dana Perna)
A Hymn to the Virgin (Benamin Britten)
Lully, lulla, tho little tiny child (Kenneth Leighton)
Away in a Manger (John Rutter)
O Magnum Mysterium (Morten Lauridsen)
Bethlehem Down (Peter Warlock)
A Spotless Rose (Herbert Howells)
Chorale after an Old French Carol (Benjamin Britten)
What cheer? (William Walton)
Lullaby my Jesus (Peter Warlock, Andrew Carter)
Shepherd's Pipe Carol (John Rutter)

For over a decade Stephen Layton and Polyphony have been astonishing London audiences with their Christmas concert series: ‘nothing crowns the year like the annual, exhilarating Eve of Christmas Eve performance of Handel’s Messiah by the choir Polyphony under Stephen Layton’. Alongside extravagant oratorio performances, the group has presented a cappella programmes of Christmas music to audiences enthralled by the range of repertoire available. This compact disc brings together music from many of these acclaimed recordings.

7159 CD $16.98

John Rutter - Music For Christmas

Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
Nativity Carol
There is a Flower
Sans Day Carol
What Sweeter Music
I wonder as I wander
Jesus Child
Wild Wood Carol
The very best time of year
Away in a Manger
Angel Tidings
Christmas Lullaby
Dormi Jesu
Love came down at Christmas
Star Carol
Carol of the Children
Mary’s Lullaby
Silent Night
Angels’ Carol
Candlelight Carol
Second Amen
Donkey Carol

The performances are uniformly excellent; Stephen Layton and his Polyphony vocal ensemble have shown a previous affinity for Rutter’s work and this effort simply reaffirms their commitment to and love for this very special music. With the first notes of the joyous "Shepherd's Pipe Carol," we know that Christmas is coming and John Rutter is the man when it comes to Christmas music! And on "Music," we have 22 of Rutter's finest carols, lullabyes and other Christmas songs, sung by talented mixed ensemble Polyphony, conducted by Stephen Layton and accompanied on most tunes by the City of London Sinfonia. Favorites are the wistful, unaccompanied "There is a Flower," "Sans Day Carol," "I wonder as I wander," the lilting, joyful "Jesus Child," "The very best time of year," "Angel Tidings," "Christmas Lullabye," the exciting "Star Carol," "Carol of the Children," "Mary's Lullabye," "Angels' Carol" and the final cut, "Donkey Carol." A very special Christmas collection, sure to become some of your family's favorite music of the season! Beautiful, extensive liner notes, with a wonderful painting of the Three Wise Men on the cover. Outstanding.

7992 CD $17.98

Peter Cornelius - The Three Kings

Requiem
Die Vatergruft
Drei Chorgesange Op 11
Der Tod, das ist die kuhle Nacht
An den Sturmwind
Die drei Fruhlingstage
Die Konige Op 8 No 3
Liebe: Ein Zyklus von 3 Chorlidern Op 18
Liebe, dir ergeb' ich mich!
Ich will dich lieven meine Krone!
Thron der Liebe, Stern der Gute
Der alte Soldat Op 12 No 1
Drei Psalmlieder Op 13
Busslied Cornelius
An Babels Wasserflussen
Jerusalem
So weich und warm
Trauerchore Op 9 (men only)
Ach, wie nichtig, ach, wie fluchtig
Nicht die Trane kann es sagen
Mitten wir Leben sind
Grablied
Von dem Dome, schwer und bang
Trust in Tranen Op. 14

Peter Cornelius was born to actor parents and destined from early life to have a career centred on words and music. After early influences from Beethoven and Schubert, and studies of form and the composition of sacred music in Berlin, Cornelius's musical style matured under the tutelage of Liszt in Weimar. On their first meeting Liszt encouraged Cornelius to compose sacred music, however Cornelius then turned to the composition of opera and song whilst developing his natural gift in poetry. Choral works, however, remained an important part of Cornelius's compositions - many with sacred texts. Mention the name Cornelius to most music lovers and their immediate reaction will be 'Isn't he the man who wrote the song heard at Christmas - Three Kings?' Indeed he is and this piece can be heard on track 6 (Drei Könige). However, this disc also explores the other wonderful choral music written by Cornelius. All of these pieces deserve to be heard more!

8768 CD $17.95

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Poulenc - Gloria and Motets

Bruckner - Mass in E minor and Motets

*Morten Lauridsen**: Lauridsen - Noctunes*

Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other Choral Works

Morten Lauridsen - Lux Aeterna

Benjamin Britten

John Tavener

John Rutter - Gloria and other Sacred Music

John Rutter - Requiem and other Sacred Music

At Twilight - Percy Grainger / Edvard Grieg