pwhodges
2008-06-27
Stanford is best known for his church music (Stanford in Bb; Beati quorum via), but was in fact the most notable British composer (along with Sullivan) immediately preceding Elgar. He wrote several sets of songs on nautical themes. These songs were intended for performance with orchestra. This recording with the Cherwell Singers was made in the recently built Jacqueline du Pré Music Building in Oxford. The sound is extremely dry and analytical. There was a gale blowing, and although we couldn't hear it, there were obviously big drafts in the hall, which produce obvious rumble, because I don't normally use a windshield indoors... Or maybe it's someone kicking the floor.