Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101457 in Music
• Released on: 2001-09-02
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .29 pounds
• Running time: 95 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
An enthusiastic round of applause to Hyperion for a modern recording of Arthur Sullivan's The Golden Legend, which was overwhelmingly the most popular work of its kind by a British composer in the late 19th century. Yes, the "action" is limited, in a take on the familiar Christian theme of redemption through the shedding of blood (although in the event a love-struck Prince Henry spares the willing Ursula her fate). Yes, the pace of much of the music is slow. But on repeated listenings the musical ideas settle pleasingly, and admiration never ceases to grow for Sullivan's masterly orchestration. The atmosphere of those famed operettas does show through (for example, Lucifer--sung by a suitably snarling Jeffrey Black--is a veritable G&S villain, complete with perky theme tune). But overall this is serious Sullivan, rubbing musical shoulders with Parry and even Elgar. The performance here can be warmly recommended, though there are reservations. Mark Wilde seems neither vocally comfortable nor sufficiently characterful as Prince Henry, while the London Chorus is rather soggy at times. Corp's admirable conducting is never less than affectionate, yet speeds are surely on the conservative side and the whole needs more shape, more sense of drama. --Andrew Green

Customer Reviews

A neglected cantata by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Digital recording processes, efficient marketing, and above all the work of conductor Ronald Corp in bringing back to life late nineteenth and early twentieth century music that has lain moribund and neglected, allow music lovers like me a first opportunity to hear Sir Arthur Sullivan's "The Golden Legend".

I have listened six times to this recording. Each time I find new details or effects in the music that reinforce my admiration for Sir Arthur Sullivan. A quick perusal of the Longfellow poem on which the work is based and a look at the synopsis provided with the recording have been enough to show that its Faust-like story would have familiar, meaningful and fascinating enough to justify this work's enormous popularity in Sullivan's time. Nowadays, at least to me, it seems preposterous

Nevertheless the music repays close attention. Within the bounds of decorum that Sullivan always preserved in his music, there is a wonderful range of inventiveness, harmonic progression and melody. The forces include five soloists, chorus, orchestra and organ.

Timed to provide a satisfying evening's music making in the 1880s, the music runs for just over 90 minutes. Hyperion have marketed the two CD set for the price of one.

The recording venue was a church in south London that I used to attend many years ago. Rarely have I heard choral singing so well caught on record. The soloists have fresh young voices. If veteran record collectors have a hazy recollection of having sampled this work before, it might derive from a stunning recording of an excerpt called "The night is calm" made by the Australian soprano Florence Austral.

Highly recommended
It is great to hear a professional performance of one of Sullivan's most significant 'serious' pieces. It is true that the pace of much of the music is slow, but there are some really lovely musical ideas: this is very much music worth getting to know. I found this recording moving and uplifting. It is hard to believe that it has taken so long for such rewarding music to be recorded, and it makes me want to hear other serious work by Sullivan. Good also to see a record company giving good value: the whole piece takes just over 90', but the second CD comes 'free'. This is highly recommended.

A neglected masterpiece
It's great to have a professional recording of this sadly neglected work. There are some exciting moments in it - the Prologue is terrific forexample. However, as other reviewers have noted, there is also a lot ofslow music! Following from the score, I was mystified on more than oneoccasion as to why certain sections were so slow. The tempo markings oftensuggested a quicker speed than I was hearing - allegro played andante andso on. I know this is just a question of interpretation, but I feel thatin a number of places, the tempo needs cranking up a bit! One thing thisoratorio cannot cope with is a languid pace, and that for me is the onlydownside of this CD.
That apart, the soloists, chorus and orchestra are excellent, and therecording has a good dynamic quality. Sullivan's orchestration isimpeccable as usual, and there are some really lovely moments. It is musicthat grows on you with each return visit. Despite my reservations on someaspects of the performance I can recommend it as a CD no Sullivanenthusiast should be without. Congratulations to Hyperion for continuingto record these neglected materpieces.