For many enthusiasts, the name Penelope Thwaites is associated with one composer — Percy Grainger, who’s complete piano music she admirably recorded for Chandos. Somm’s recent release celebrates Thwaites as a composer, recording many of her works for the first time. This thoughtfully programmed album of choral music and song brings together a range of melodious and interesting pieces, mixing both sacred and secular repertoire.
Opening the album with four psalm settings that wouldn’t sound out of place in any evensong service, Psalm 24, “The earth is the Lord’s”, featuring soprano Carolyn Sampson, organist Rupert Jeffcoat and the choir — Ex Cathedra, has influences of Bax, Howells and Finzi in the harmonic language. The choral sections have Celtic influences with some Scotch snaps and elements of Gaelic Psalm singing. In the lyrical setting of Psalm 121, “I will lift up mine eyes”, the choral lines are executed by Ex Cathedra with an intrinsic understanding and sincerity of the nature of the music. Psalm 19, “The heavens tell out the glory” replaces the organ with the piano. Tenor James Gilchrist, who takes the solo role, has a strong communicative presence. The final psalm setting is the most famous of them all, number 23, “The Lord is My Shepherd”. Those familiar with Howard Goodall’s setting will appreciate the parallels, however Sampson brings a modest restraint with Thwaites’ sympathetic accompaniment.
In Thwaites’ “Missa Brevis”, each of the five sections have strongly contrasting settings. The opening “Kyrie” is solemn, and here Ex Cathedra excel, while the melodious “Gloria” is delivered by the choral forces and Sampson with clarity and exemplary diction. The gentle “Sanctus” has some beautiful unaccompanied choral writing, in which Ex Cathedra provide a well-blended and balanced sound. The “Agnus Dei” is darkly foreboding and showcases the finely recorded organ of the Elgar Concert Hall, University of Birmingham, England.
The “Five Shakespeare Songs” are a delight from beginning to end. They are slightly lighter in style, but possess a rich, modern harmonic vocabulary. Scored for solo voice, choir, piano and percussion, they reveal Thwaites’ insightful ability to write for choir and to create drama and contrast. The central song, “When Icicles Hang By The Wall” (track 15) is the darkest and most unusual of the five songs, Ex Cathedra navigate the complex chromaticism with complete conviction. Some of the texts will be familiar to those acquainted with the English song settings by Quilter and Finzi of the final two songs of the set — “O Mistress Mine” and “It Was A Lover and His Lass”. Thwaites has a voice of her own in these and creates something intriguing and original.
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Drawing inspiration from texts around the world give the album’s title – “From Five Continents”. These continents reveal themselves mostly towards the end of the album, in three pieces for choir with a range of accompaniments. The first of these, “Yaathum Oore Yaavarum Kelir” (track 18) is scored for piano, choir, trumpet, saxophone and guitars, and takes inspiration from India. The harmonies are essentially conventional, and one can easily mistake the influence for Eastern-European Klezmer. In complete contrast, Sampson is the star in the more relaxed “Walkabout”, with its Australian influences. A range of other short pieces complete the program, with the final work, “St Teresa’s Bookmark”, echoes Parry’s “Songs of Farewell” and provides a reflective ending.
Thwaites herself plays piano and provides a model accompanist. William Dazeley, Sampson, Gilchrist and Ex Cathedra, superbly directed by Jeffery Skidmore throughout, give everything possible. Sampson is more relaxed here than in her other English-centered release, “The Contrast”, highlighting the varied range of colors in her voice. Gilchrist brings authority throughout.
The recording captures the acoustics of the auditorium well and is ideally engineered for vocal music with changing sizes of ensemble. Thwaites’ style is accessible, interesting and varied. Any choral music enthusiast would take much pleasure from this commendable release.
“From Five Continents” – Works by Penelope Thwaites
EX CATHEDRA
Carolyn Sampson – Soprano
James Gilchrist – Tenor
William Dazeley – Baritone
Penelope Thwaites – Piano
Jeffrey Skidmore – Conductor
Somm Recordings, CD SOMMCD 0612
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