Proms on Afternoon Concert 6 (03.08.20): Pärt, Rachmaninov, Gliere, Grace Williams

**bluestateprommer** · 06-08-20, 04:36

I don't recall hearing the main Prom at the time (2007), so was definitely interested in hearing this one. The Pärt is nicely done, the Rachmaninov OK, nothing extraordinary (IMHO). The Gliere is the clear 'novelty', at least for me, as I can't recall ever hearing it in any other form before, on the radio growing up in Philly or anything like that. From just the one hearing, I can understand why it doesn't get many outings, for all the care that Vassily Sinaisky obviously lavished on the performance. I heard bits that sounded at time like the third pressing of Scriabin, and in other places like the third pressing of Tchaikovsky. But most of it does sound like a film score in search of a film. I did find the pdf of the Chandos liner note by David Nice for the Sir Edward Downes recording of the work, so maybe I would need to give it another listen with the narrative in mind. The 3rd movement struck me as the most winning movement, perhaps because it's the shortest

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I do vaguely recall hearing the Grace Williams setting of text from Paradise Lost at the time, through headphones at work, most probably. But it was much better to hear it at home through more appropriate speakers, and also with the text on hand. For those, like me, who don't have a copy of Paradise Lost on hand, here's the text, taken from a Dartmouth University page, from Book V:

"Fairest of Starrs, last in the train of Night,
If better thou belong not to the dawn,
Sure pledge of day, that crownst the smiling Morn
With thy bright Circlet, praise him in thy Spheare
While day arises, that sweet hour of Prime.
Thou Sun, of this great World both Eye and Soule,
Acknowledge him thy Greater, sound his praise
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st,
And when high Noon hast gaind, and when thou fallst.
Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli'st
With the fixt Starrs, fixt in thir Orb that flies,
And yee five other wandring Fires that move
In mystic Dance not without Song, resound
His praise, who out of Darkness call'd up Light.
Aire, and ye Elements the eldest birth
Of Natures Womb, that in quaternion run
Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix
And nourish all things, let your ceasless change
Varie to our great Maker still new praise.
Ye Mists and Exhalations that now rise
From Hill or steaming Lake, duskie or grey,
Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold,
In honour to the Worlds great Author rise,
Whether to deck with Clouds th' uncolourd skie,
Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers,
Rising or falling still advance his praise.
His praise ye Winds, that from four Quarters blow,
Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines,
With every Plant, in sign of Worship wave.
Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow,
Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.
Joyn voices all ye living Souls; ye Birds,
That singing up to Heaven Gate ascend,
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise;
Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk
The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep;
Witness if I be silent, Morn or Eeven,
To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or fresh shade
Made vocal by my Song, and taught his praise.
Hail universal Lord, be bounteous still
To give us onely good; and if the night
Have gathered aught of evil or conceald,
Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark."

Proms on Afternoon Concert 6 (03.08.20): Pärt, Rachmaninov, Gliere, Grace Williams

Proms on Afternoon Concert 6 (03.08.20): Pärt, Rachmaninov, Gliere, Grace Williams

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