SKU: BT.DHP-1063969-010

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

The Ukrainian Dmitri Bortniansky (1751-1825) received lessons at the local singing school in his hometown of Hlukhiv, and soon his extraordinary talent was recognised. He was somewhat of a child prodigy, writing his first opera at a young age. Following his studies Bortniansky was appointed court composer and Kapellmeister of the Imperial Chapel Choir. In the period that followed, he wrote - in addition to a number of operas, instrumental works, and a cycle of songs - more than a hundred religious works for a cappella choir, in which he combined Russian-orthodox and Ukrainian traditions with late 18th century European music. The appealing melody of Ich bete an die Macht derLiebe (Prayer to the Power of Love) became well-known, especially in Germany, in combination with German text by Gerhard Tersteegen. This arrangement by Michael Bilkes reflects the atmosphere of the original work very well.

Die Chormusik des russischen Komponisten Dmitri Bortniansky zeugt von großem technischen Können und reflektiert zugleich ein tiefes spirituelles Verständnis. Die Melodie zu Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe erlangte mit dem Text von Gerhard Tersteegen besonders im deutschsprachigen Raum einen großen Bekanntheitsgrad. Die vorliegende Blasorchesterbearbeitung von Michael Bilkes gibt die Stimmung des Originals sehr gut wieder.

SKU: HL.48021285

ISBN 9781458471598. UPC: 884088658458. 6.75x10.5 inches.

Text: Eric Crozier

Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes

Difficulty level: 3

Saint Nicolas (note the name has no 'H' in it!) was written for the centenary of Lancing College in Sussex, the independent secondary boarding school on the south coast of England which Peter Pears had attended in his teens. It has a vast chapel intended by its founder, Revd Nathaniel Woodard, as the cathedral for all the schools of his extensive foundation known collectively as 'Woodard' schools. St. Nicolas is famous for many legendary miracles and for being the original 'Santa Claus'. Crozier's libretto is designed to tell the story of his life, to recount some of his most celebrated acts and to give the audience/congregation the opportunity of joining in two beautiful hymns at key moments: 'All people that on earth do dwell' and 'God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform'. The narration is all done by the choir, though the tenor sings first-person narratives as well in his role as the mature Nicolas. The young Nicolas is sung by a boy in movement II. There is a dramatic moment at the end of this movement when the boy's voice does a tumble and the tenor proclaims in the voice of Nicolas as a young man: 'God be glorified'.

The third movement is an accompanied recitative in which the soloist sings of Nicolas devoting himself to God through the agonies and torment of the many distractions and temptations of life. His faith wins through and he sings a final touching phrase: 'and Love was satisfied'. The sea whips up a storm in the next movement: 'He journeys to Palestine'. It threatens to overturn the ship and drown everyone on board. There is wailing from the sopranos and altos of the semi-chorus and agonised calls from the tenors and basses to 'man the pumps'. Finally, Nicolas begs God to let the storm cease and offers thanks for their safe delivery. Britten creates a palpable sense of relief in the final pages.

In the fifth movement, 'Nicolas comes to Myra and is chosen Bishop', the choir sings chorale-like phrases welcoming him as their new Bishop. They go through his ceremonial dressing with all the accoutrements of his office, the mitre, crozier (nice pun on the librettist's name), robe and ring. An energetic chorus 'Serve the faith and spurn his enemies' leads to the first great hymn - a wonderfully climactic moment. Britten's arrangement is suitably uplifting.

The final movement tells of Nicolas' death and the work ends with the other great hymn: 'God moves in a mysterious way'.

This work demonstrates to me Britten's generosity of spirit and his natural feeling for enriching the repertoire at all levels of attainment. What a gift!

Duration: 50 minutes

Paul Spicer, Lichfield, 2011.