Howells: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis settings

[Pulcinella]

In his review of the new St John's release (Magnificat, Gramophone, Awards 2019), which includes the Howells Gloucester setting, Andrew Mellor holds out the prospect of further recordings, according to Nethsingha, and puts in a plea for Howells settings that are 'criminally neglected — Worcester, Hereford, St Augustine and Dallas, to name a few'.

I have the complete set on Priory (five volumes, six CDs) as well as several other performances in various compilations.

The Gloucester, Coll Reg, and St Paul's settings are generally considered top flight, I think; but which others rank highly in your rating and which would you put in a plea for if St John's do indeed produce further volumes?

[ardcarp]

I'm very fond of the un-dedicated Howells in B minor. Is this included in the latest John's release?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryoif51AMZ0

The above link from Winchester (taken I think from a live broadcast) has lots of wellie, reminding us what a great cathedral O&C David Hill was.

[Pulcinella]

I'm very fond of the un-dedicated Howells in B minor. Is this included in the latest John's release?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryoif51AMZ0

The above link from Winchester (taken I think from a live broadcast) has lots of wellie, reminding us what a great cathedral O&C David Hill was.

Undedicated but, according to the Priory notes, commissioned for the Jubilee Festival Service of the Church Music Society (held in 1956 in Westminster Abbey, so presumably with that building in mind).

Here's a link to the new St John's release: the only Howells on it is the Gloucester set. Other composers are Gabriel Jackson, Leighton, Stanford, Sumsion, and Tippett.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8665522--magnificat

[ardcarp]

according to the Priory notes, commissioned for the Jubilee Festival Service of the Church Music Society (held in 1956 in Westminster Abbey, so presumably with that building in mind).

Thanks for that Pulcs. It is however not referred to as 'Howells' Westminster' AFAIK.

[Pulcinella]

Thanks for that Pulcs. It is however not referred to as 'Howells' Westminster' AFAIK.

You're right: it isn't, generally.

That said, the Novello collection called The 'London' Services has this on its front cover:
St Pauls [sic]
Westminster
(Westminster) in B minor
The latter is a curious designation indeed!

Here's a link that shows the cover:

https://www.prestomusic.com/sheet-music/search?search_query=Howells+London

[Vox Humana]

There are none better than the Coll Reg, St Paul's and Gloucester services, but I'd place the Westminster and B minor settings close behind them. Those are all vintage,'middle-period' Howells. Among the 'third period' settings my favourites are the Winchester and Chichester services. The latter is quite dissonant for Howells with its insistence on the interval of the major second, but still unmistakably his style. I think the Magdalen College service is probably the least successful of the lot, but maybe we just need more recordings of it. I'm afraid the early G major setting has never floated my boat.

[mopsus]

I heard the St Augustine's setting on a broadcast years ago and liked it, but never encountered it since; again, it's one of the more dissonant ones. I'd also like the Westminster Canticles and the B minor setting to be considered. But of the ten or so setttings I've sung, I feel that it's the New College Service which is a waste of space!

[teamsaint]

The Priory set is available on Apple Music, if anbody is interested, so I’ll have a dip in later.

[ardcarp]

Just a little nod to Howells (probably on the wrong thread) as composer in a wider world than just church music. He was a teacher of composition at the Royal College of Music, and indeed taught a friend of mine.

Here's a list of his works:

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/herbert-howells-mn0001210970/compositions

[Nevilevelis]

I keep returning to the Dallas and Sarum sets - superb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcdn7pMwtHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHKzOlcLXw&list=RDLsHKzOlcLXw&start_radio=1

NVV

[Vox Humana]

Just a little nod to Howells (probably on the wrong thread) as composer in a wider world than just church music. He was a teacher of composition at the Royal College of Music, and indeed taught a friend of mine.

He taught me for a while too - I just wish I'd had the talent to benefit from it. Agree about his non-church music. Actually I think his songs are the finest part of his output - marvellous variety.

[Edgy 2]

Just a little nod to Howells (probably on the wrong thread) as composer in a wider world than just church music. He was a teacher of composition at the Royal College of Music, and indeed taught a friend of mine.

Here's a list of his works:

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/herb...0/compositions

I adore his music.
A few more fans on this forum IIRC

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?10520-Howells-Herbert-(1892-1983)

https://www.herberthowellssociety.com/

[mopsus]

He also used to earn a bit on the side as an Associated Board examiner in his later years and I know people who were on the receiving end.

[Pulcinella]

I heard the St Augustine's setting on a broadcast years ago and liked it, but never encountered it since; again, it's one of the more dissonant ones. I'd also like the Westminster Canticles and the B minor setting to be considered. But of the ten or so setttings I've sung, I feel that it's the New College Service which is a waste of space!

That's a shame!
Just listened and followed the score.
I was particularly taken by the 'He remembering' section, and the way he leads into the two Glorias.

[mopsus]

Oh well maybe I just have a blank spot when it comes to the New College service. I do know people who are keen on it (which is why I have sung it), but they tend to have studied at New College.