With Voices Rising

With Voices Rising

glauco

1990, Lismor, CD No. 9024

The album reflects two important aspects of the choir’s work. The first is the continuation of the tradition of Scottish folksong, a legacy inherited from The Orpheus. Thus Hugh S. Roberton’s arrangement of ‘Dream Angus’ for The Orpheus Choir finds itself alongside Peter S. Shand’s arrangement of ‘John Anderson My Jo’ made recently for The Phoenix. The Scottish Songs on the album range from the traditional psalm tune of ‘Brother James’ Air’ through love lyrics such as ‘Annie Laurie’, ‘Loch Lomond’ and ‘Corn Riggs’ (this definitely not concerning unrequited love) to historical ballads and martial songs including ‘Scots Wha’ Hae’, ‘The Campbells are Comin’ and ‘The Lament of Mary Queen of Scots’. The second aspect of the choir’s work illustrated here involves the folksong of countries outwith Scotland. Over the years a great many such songs from all over the world have found their way into The Phoenix repertoire. Only a few songs from this eclectic group could be included here, but still the variety is impressive. ‘The Little Cherry Tree’ from the USSR, ‘Death, O Death, O Me Lawd’, ‘Time for Man Go Home’ and ‘All My Trials Lord’, from the West Indies, ‘In the Wheatfield’ from Wales, ‘Tumbalalaika’ from Israel and finally ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’, ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ from the USA, all these at least giving a flavour of the choir’s international repertoire. This blend of old and new is a standard feature of the many concerts given by the choir. We hope that it will appeal to you as much as it does to the many thousands who hear the choir every year. The conductor for this recording was Peter Shand.

Tracks

  1. Scots Wha Hae
  2. In the Wheatfield
  3. When the Saints Go Marching In
  4. Annie Laurie
  5. Time for Man Go Home
  6. Brother James’ Air
  7. Shenandoah
  8. John Anderson
  9. Tumbalalaika
  10. Little Cherry Tree
  11. Corn Riggs
  12. Dream Angus
  13. Death O Death Oh Me Lawd
  14. Loch Lomond
  15. Campbells Are Comin’
  16. All My Trials Lord
  17. Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots
  18. Battle Hymn of the Republic