Howells - Hymnus Paradisi (Proms 2012)

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

I had the great privilege of meeting Sir Herbert Howells at the RCM during the 1970's. I was picking my brother up to go to lunch, and as were about to leave Sir Herbert came up the stairway near the entrance. "This is my composition teacher", my brother said, and I shook his hand. I remember the black gown and blue eyes and white head of hair. My brother later sang in an anniversary performance of HYMNUS under the baton of the composer himself at the RCM, and in the presence of Princess Margaret. My brother recalls that at the end of the work there wasn't a dry eye in the chorus. I agree that this is the most beautiful of all English choral works.

[@meirfinkelstein9233]

Never knew you wrote this ??????

[@keithsparrow7717]

Sadly, Herbert Howells didn't get to be knighted, so wasn't 'Sir Herbert'. I hadn't come across this recording before. Martyn Brabbins really go the best out of his performers.

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

@@keithsparrow7717 Thanks for the info.

[@trajnamusiccpt]

Salutations, my dear late composition teacher at the Royal College of Music in South Kensington from 1948 to 1951. You were my first real supporter and once built a music appreciation lecture round my 11th Prelude which you compared to some Walton characteristics. You also introduced me to your composition teacher, Vaughan- Williams, as the new chap from Hungary, who could play and make sense of Bartok. V-W said: "So you understand Bartok? I wish I did." Herbert often talked about his dead son during our lessons and about Hymnus Paradisi, which he was completing in that period. He presented me with the vocal score (inscribed "to Tommy R. from his affectionate friend" )and I attended the first London performance by the BBC SO in Albert Hall in April 1951. I must confess that my young head in those days was tuned in to the astringencies of Stravinsky and Bartok and I thought my beloved master's music a bit pale and tame. Just now, having listened to the 2012 prom performance of this work 65 years later, I have found it profoundly moving and poignant. Belated apologies, dear Herbert, from your once oh,so precocious student, who still cherishes your memory.

[@richardharrold9736]

A remarkable tribute. I've never really got on with Bartok, but Stravinsky's Rite of Spring blew my mind with its raw, primal power. Yet RVW and Howells were no less masterly in their orchestration and creation of intensity.

[@TheVaughan5]

Thanks for your interesting story about Howells. I was at a concert a few nights ago at the R.C.M. which featured 2 songs by Ivor Gurney that were orchestrated by Howells, I thought the songs were wonderful and was very impressed by the orchestration. On the subject of Bartok, yes he is not the easiest of composers to comprehend but I have a great liking for "Bluebeard's Castle" - looking forward to the BBC Prom in August, the first time I will have heard a live performance.

[@trajnamusiccpt]

Snap about Bluebeard's Castle. I was positively obsessed with that piece for years and consciously allowed echoes of it in the score of my 2001 opera, Amarantha.

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

May I ask who you are?

[@alexgunnarson]

@@aryehfinklestein9041 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Rajna, it would appear! Thank you for your fascinating notes, @trajnamusiccpt :)

[@basspoem]

This is heart-breaking: a lament for his lost young son. The music has the power to draw tears from us.

[@blairmacewancrosbie8646]

HP is one of the greatest works in the British musical canon. Why is HH not better known or performed more often? It is an utter travesty.. He is as good as EE, BB, RVW, GF, etc and yet how many know his sublime and gorgeous music? HP is without a doubt the most beautiful British choral work and the only one that can match it is EE's The Dream of Gerontius. God, this is so bloody lovely.

[@charlieterry5357]

Oh yes I agree but I would add Elgar's The Music Makers which I have just heard for the first time in my life. What an emotionally charged experience, as is this!

[@bluefunkybassman]

I also was extremely lucky to be at this performance in the Albert Hall. Herbert Howells's music is truly astonishing.

[@jimuk63]

In 1935 Herbert Howell's son Michael died of polio on 6th September aged 9 years. This piece was first performed at the Three Choirs Festival on 7th September 1950, fifteen years and one day after Michael died and one day after my brother, also called Michael died of polio aged 11 years. There is " something" about this music.

[@paulsmith5752]

Which is why Howells' tune to "All my hope on God is founded" (NEH333) is called Michael.

[@cecilpodd]

Sang this at Uni back in 1990 and was delighted when it was finally performed at the Proms. The greatest ever English choral work IMO. Thanks for uploading this.

[@gavinbullock6205]

A glowing performance of a radiant, luminous masterpiece. I remember going to a performance at the Three Choirs Festival in the late 1970s - stunning experience. Herbert Howells was present, then in his 80s, and I had the briefest of words with him afterwards - but he was far more interested in the pretty young woman who surrounded him. That there are not many performances is down, at least in part, to the great technical difficulty of the music, both for the singers and the orchestra.

[@daxdax500]

Thanks for uploading. I was lucky enough to be at the Proms 2012 performance of this piece. I didn't know it and it completely blew me away. What an incredible and haunting piece of music. Just love it!!!

[@MrKeithterrett]

A new work to my ears from Herbert Howell's and what a gem the Hymnus Paradisi is! It deserves to be more well known as it is a true masterpiece, with rich polyphony, dense textures and lush harmony. Love the opening of the Holy is the True Light with the Trumpet lines and interjections. The first climax is exilerating.

[@warrensykes6317]

Powerfully wonderful!

[@burton48]

Wonderful work. Reminiscent of RVW's "Hodie."

[@bowenbombastic]

I loved this piece when I saw it on TV, and have searched for the performance ever since. Thank you for uploading a masterpiece like this!

[@darrylbc]

I truly love this piece. I have sung it with John Alexander and the Pacific Chorale in Southern California, twice, and sang it on a tour to Estonia and Russia in 1991. Magnificent and deeply moving music.

[@psalmtone2008]

I was on that tour, too! :)

[@crazyorganist1609]

Absolutely glorious

[@DougCassellMusicman]

Beautiful!!!! Bravo!!!

[@psalmtone2008]

Beautifully. Horribly hard to sing well. This is astounding.

[@hudsondeal]

This is such a gorgeous, deeply-felt, piece of music. I don't understand why it's not performed regularly in the US.

[@MisterDavidBell]

Deal Hudson I think it's quite expensive to rehearse and perform due to the sheer amount of musicians required, thats why it isn't performed regularly :/

[@bryangl1]

@@MisterDavidBell It doesn't need a choir this large - just the relatively "standard" choir often demanded by many of the better-known English choral works. I think the issue is more the complexity/difficulty. But this doesn't explain why Howells is such a relatively obscure composer - there are many choirs, particularly in the UK, the home of good choral singing, capable of doing justice to this masterpiece.

[@SuperMahler2012]

I can't believe I'm going to perform in this in five days...

[@charlieterry5357]

Lucky you! Hope it went well!!

[@steveegallo3384]

Effulgent opulent transcendental......BRAVI TUTTI from Acapulco!

[@robris72]

Thanks, thanks, thanks!!!!!

[@charlieterry5357]

Don't much care for the coughing symphony between the movements of such a beautiful and emotionally charged work and underrated work! maybe my headphones are too good!!

[@kh23797]

Fans of this wonderful music might like to know that Herbert's daughter Ursula Howells (1922-2005), whose prolific stage, TV and film career made her very familiar to British audiences in her own right, was an enthusiastic and lifelong supporter of her father's works. In 1987 she began a society to celebrate his compositions, and the composer Dr John Rutter CBE is its president. See: www.herberthowellssociety.com/

[@psalmtone2008]

I did this piece in 1991 with Pacific Chorale and the Estonian State Symphony at the Kaarli Kirik in Tallinn Estonia

[@Cravatman]

Yes - done better than I've ever heard it - I had it as the weakest part of this piece until I saw this. A magnificent performance.

[@whyteaugust]

I first heard this on the Naxos disc, and the Sanctus was always my favourite part :)

[@stevenuttall9633]

Magnificent.

[@Utoobtime27]

This is a posting that really could do with subtitles even in English - especially if the intent is to bring new listeners to Howells' work. I know that will sound Philistine to some but I am afraid it is a modern reality - especially with a work this involved.

[@MartinSmithMFM]

This is essentially a piece from the 1930s in mint condition. *Hiawatha* and Delius surge through it. It consoles, like the Poulenc Gloria and the Durufle Requiem. It needs a stylistic category all of its own, and needs to be heard worldwide, as well as deserving many PhDs. Not just a masterpiece, but a message to our era from beyond the grave

[@MisterDavidBell]

I keep replaying from 22:18... absolutely exquisite music 🎶

[@101mosioatunya]

Spine-tingling stuff!

[@whyteaugust]

Goosepimples in the Sanctus!