Hubert Parry (1848 - 1918), regarded by many (including Edward Elgar) as the finest English composer since Purcell, and as the father of the modern English tradition, is best known for his hymn Jerusalem (immortalised by the Women's Institute and English cricket supporters alike!). His anthem I was glad, written for the coronation of Edward VII, in 1902, has been used also at the coronations of George V, Elizabeth II, and Charles III (who is a proclaimed fan of Parry's music). He taught composition at London's Royal College of Music from 1883 to 1895, when he succeeded Sir George Grove as director of the College, a post he held until his death. His distinguished list of pupils included Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge, and John Ireland. Inspired initially by the German romantics Mendelssohn and Schumann, Parry quickly became a devotee of Brahms and Wagner, whose influences can be heard in much of his output. But, from his earliest works, his own individual voice can be heard very clearly. Commissioned for the Three Choirs Festival, in Gloucester in 1880, his Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound is just such an early work. The premiÃ¨re received a mixed reception, but despite numerous repeat performances, in Cambridge, Oxford, and London, all with rave reviews, the piece sank into obscurity. Vernon Handley gave a performance for BBC Radio 3 in 1980, to mark the centenary of the premiÃ¨re, but this world premiÃ¨re recording is the first chance for modern audiences to hear this outstanding work.

Tracklist:

Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Maestoso, assia lento
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Monarch of Gods and Daemons
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Alas! Ah me!
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Thrice three hundred thousand years
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Awful sufferer!
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Promethues! Imortal Titan!
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
I felt thy torture, son
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
From unremember'd ages we
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
How fair these airborn shapes!
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Life of Life!
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Introduction.
Fair are others
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Scene
Allegor moderato
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Scene
Awful shpae, what art thou?
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Scene
Oh, that thou wouldst make mine enemy my judge
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Scene
Andante
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Scene
The pale stars are gone!
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound~Part
Scene
We come from the mind
Scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbond~Part
Scene
5.Then weave the web of the mystic measure
Blest Pair of Sirens in E flat major for Chorus and Orchestra

UPC: 095115531723
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 9.8.23
Format: CD

Parry / Connolly / London Mozart Players - Scenes From Shelley's Prometheus Unbound (Hybr) (CD)