EDWARD ELGAR (1857-1934): Pageant of Empire (orch. Martin Yates), The Pipes of Pan, The River, Op. 60/1, Sea Pictures, Op. 37, IVOR GURNEY (1809-1937): Lights Out (orch. Jeremy Dibble), MICHAEL HURD (1928-2006): Shore Leave.
Catalogue Number: 05L069
Label: Dutton Epoch
Reference: CDLX 7243
Format: CD
Price: $19.98
Description: Elgar's contribution to 1924's Wembley Empire Exhibition (like 1911's Crown of India), held at Wembley Stadium (taking three nights to hear and see the whole program) was The Pageant of Empire - seven songs, the orchestration of the last of which is the only one to survive. This is their first recording with orchestra, as is the touching six-poem cycle by Gurney (published in 1926) from texts by Edward Thomas, who was killed in the Great War. Hurd's 1962 cycle returns to the sea-theme, setting five poems by poet who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Texts available on-line. Roderick Williams (baritone), BBC Concert Orchestra; Martin Yates.