Howells, Herbert (1892 - 1983)

[Suffolkcoastal]

Howells chamber music is indeed quite beautiful. The 2nd Piano Concerto is Howells on a grander instrumental scale and well worth hearing as is the eloquent Concerto for String Orchestra. Hymnus Paradisi really is most moving and I was thrilled to hear it live at the Proms back 2012. His largest work is the ecstatic Missa Sabriensis a stunning almost passionate work but exceedingly difficult to pull off successfully and there is the more restrained Stabat Mater.

[EdgeleyRob]

Howells chamber music is indeed quite beautiful. The 2nd Piano Concerto is Howells on a grander instrumental scale and well worth hearing as is the eloquent Concerto for String Orchestra. Hymnus Paradisi really is most moving and I was thrilled to hear it live at the Proms back 2012. His largest work is the ecstatic Missa Sabriensis a stunning almost passionate work but exceedingly difficult to pull off successfully and there is the more restrained Stabat Mater.

Indeed SC.
I have the Chandos record of the two Piano Concertos (Shelley/Hickox)c/w with the delightful and wonderfully named Penguinski.

[Stanfordian]

I'm afraid Howells is mostly untrodden territory for me, but that is another journey waiting for another time.

Hiya teamsaint,

This Lyrita disc containing Howells's chamber masterwork the Rhapsodic Quintet is stunning. The other works on the disc the Fantasy String Quartet and the Piano Quartet are excellent too. Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Herbert-Howe...howells+lyrita

[gurnemanz]

My cousin conducts a chamber choir and I first heard some music by Howells only a few years ago at one of their concerts. He is Treasurer of the Herbert Howells Society and mainly as result of his enthusiasm, I have enjoyed starting to get to know some of his works.

[BBMmk2]

How come I've never seen this thread? Goodness! I have that recording to Cali!, strongly recomended! Also that Chandos cd as well Rob!! Agreed. an I point out his music for brass band as well? Cory Band under Robert Childs, on the Doyen label.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Can I point out his music for brass band as well? Cory Band under Robert Childs, on the Doyen label.

Pageantry performed by the Yorkshire Building Society Band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5z7DcsvExc

Three Figures played by the Besses o'the Barn Band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k5bImvkqP8

[BBMmk2]

Pageantry performed by the Yorkshire Building Society Band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5z7DcsvExc

Three Figures played by the Besses o'the Barn Band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k5bImvkqP8

There's www.worldofbrass.com

[Pulcinella]

Hello all

My own introduction to Howells was the 1966 Kings/Willcocks Argo recording of Coll Reg and other gems (especially Take him earth for cherishing). I am delighted to be able to report that, following requests from several interested parties, myself included, Decca Eloquence are releasing a CD version of this recording, coupled with some RVW.

I will post a similar message on the Decca Eloquence thread (CD Review).

Pulcinella

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hello, Pulcinella - and welcome! (Welcome back, if I'm not mistaken). Excellent news about the Eloquence CD, too.

[Pulcinella]

Hello fhg

Thanks, but you are mistaken.
Perhaps I have chosen a name that a previous member used :-(

Pulcinella

[BBMmk2]

Hello Pulcinella! Another Stravinskian themed name! :)

Anything that Sir David Willcocks recorded with the KCCC, turned to gold! he had the Midas touch!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hello fhg
Thanks, but you are mistaken.

'twould be neither the first nor the last time.

Perhaps I have chosen a name that a previous member used

I seem to remember that there was a Boardee on the old BBC Messageboards who used that nom du web - but that's three years ago, so it's all yours now.

[Pulcinella]

More Howells news.
March's Gramophone has a review of the book `The music of Herbert Howells', edited by Phillip A Cooke and David Maw.
Sounds interesting, but it's £50!

If folk are looking for an alternative to the river people, can I put in a word for the Hive Books network: for this (and other books I've bought) they are cheaper, and they deliver free to your local bookshop (if it's in the scheme), which gets a percentage of every sale, so you're supporting them too. Hive offer this book at £43.90.

[BBMmk2]

More Howells news.
March's Gramophone has a review of the book `The music of Herbert Howells', edited by Phillip A Cooke and David Maw.
Sounds interesting, but it's £50!

If folk are looking for an alternative to the river people, can I put in a word for the Hive Books network: for this (and other books I've bought) they are cheaper, and they deliver free to your local bookshop (if it's in the scheme), which gets a percentage of every sale, so you're supporting them too. Hive offer this book at £43.90.

Have books gone up a lot recently? How many pages, Pulchi?

[Pulcinella]

382pp; and it's hardback.
So good value really: I just don't know how often I'd look at it, even if I read it though once!
And there's just as little room on my bookshelves as there is on my CD shelves! :-(