Search - John Shirley-Quirk, Edward Elgar, Richard Hickox :: Elgar: The Light of Life

John Shirley-Quirk, Edward Elgar, Richard Hickox
Elgar: The Light of Life
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
1. The Light Of Life: Meditation
2. No. 2 Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars
3. No. 3 As Jesus Passed By
4. No. 4 Be Not Extreme, O Lord
5. No. 5 Neither Hath This Man Sinned
6. No. 6 Light Out Of Darkness
7. No. 7 And When He Had Thus Spoken
8. No. 8 Doubt Not Thy Father's Care!
9. No. 9 He Went His Way Therefore
10. No. 10 As A Spirit Didst Thou Pass Before Mine Eyes
11. No. 11 They Brought Him To The Pharisees
12. No. 12 Thou Only Hast The Words Of Life
13. No. 13 But The Jews Did Not Believe
14. No. 14 Woe To The Shepherds Of The Flock
15. No. 15 Jesus Heard That They Had Cast Him Out
16. No. 16 I Am The Good Shepherd
17. No. 17 Light Of The World, We Know Thy Praise

CD Details

All Artists: John Shirley-Quirk, Edward Elgar, Richard Hickox, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Judith Howarth, Arthur Davies
Title: Elgar: The Light of Life
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 7/26/1994
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 095115920824

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Sir Edward Elgar was asked in 1895 to write a work on a biblical subject by the then-vicar of Bdarnich in Devon. The vicar suggested the story of Christ giving sight to a blind man, calling it Lux Christi. Elgar changed it to The Light of Life, and it was supposed to be the prelude to a trilogy of oratorios that never materialized. Even so, some of Elgar's strongest work is in this masterpiece. John Shirley-Quirk in the role of Jesus is a knockout, as is Arthur Davies in the role of the blind man. A genuinely great work. --Paul Cook

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CD Reviews

Lux christi

a reader | 09/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent recording of a little known Elgar Oratorio (apart from opening Meditation). It forms a trilogy with The Apostles and The Kingdom.

A bit episodic compared to the later great works. All singers good.

Chandos recording quality excellent. Orchestra great."

Vintage Elgar

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 08/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Light of Life, an oratorio that was premiered in 1896, is the first of a trilogy (followed by The Apostles and The Kingdom) that features texts from the New Testament. This one in particular tells of a blind man whose sight returns through Jesus Christ. The text may be cliched, but the music is a wonderful experience. True, it seems a bit more operatic than other oratorios from other composers, but the heavenly meditative orchestrations make you want to sit back and enjoy without any distractions whatsoever. The soloists give incredible performances (especially Shirley-Quirk as Christ himself). The late Richard Hickox (R.I.P.) keeps the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra moving without anything standing in their way. He also manages to balance both voices and instruments almost perfectly, and I think the top-notch sound quality from Chandos really helps.

The Light of Life may not be liked by everyone, but I can still recommend it to those who admire English classical music and choral music in general."