AMERICAN POLYPHONY – STEPHEN LAYTON Hyperion

An all-too-rare new recording from Polyphony and Stephen Layton presents highlights from the choral repertoire by four twentieth-century American giants: Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Randall Thompson. Framed by Thompson’s understated favourites Alleluia and Fare Well, the programme includes Bernstein’s Missa brevis, Copland’s early set of four motets, and—of course—Barber’s inimitable Agnus Dei.

1
Alleluia[6’12]Randall Thompson (1899-1984)
2
Agnus Dei[9’07]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Reincarnations Op 16[9’36]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
3
Mary Hynes She is the sky of the sun[2’23]4
Anthony O’Daly Since your limbs were laid out[3’07]5
The coolin’ Come with me, under my coat[4’06]Missa brevis[11’49]Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
6
Kyrie[1’10]7
Gloria[2’48]with David Allsopp (countertenor), Robert Millett (percussion)
8
Sanctus[1’22]with Christopher Lowrey (countertenor)
9
Benedictus[1’21]with David Allsopp (countertenor), Robert Millett (percussion)
10
Agnus Dei[2’40]with David Allsopp (countertenor)
11
Dona nobis pacem Agnus Dei[2’28]with Christopher Lowrey (countertenor), Robert Millett (percussion)
Four Motets[11’28]Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
12
Help us, O Lord[2’57]13
Thou, O Jehovah, abideth forever[2’23]14
Have mercy on us, O my Lord[4’09]15
Sing ye praises to our king[1’59]16
Twelfth Night No night could be darker than this night (No 1 of Two Pieces, Op 42)[4’48]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
17
To be sung on the water Beautiful, my delight (No 2 of Two Pieces, Op 42)[2’54]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
18
A nun takes the veil ‘Heaven-haven’ I have desired to go (No 1 of Four Songs, Op 13)[2’43]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
19
The virgin martyrs Therefore come they, the crowding maidens (No 1 of Two Choruses, Op 8)[3’34]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
20
Let down the bars, O death (No 2 of Two Choruses, Op 8)[2’35]Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
21
Fare Well When I lie where shades of darkness[9’19]Randall Thompson (1899-1984)