ARTHUR BLISS (1891-1975): Mary of Magdala for Contralto, Bass, Chorus and Orchestra (First Recording), The Enchantress for Contralto and Orchestra, Meditations on a Theme by John Blow for Orchestra.

Catalogue Number: 11V047
Label: Chandos
Reference: CHSA 5242
Format: SACD hybrid
Price: $18.98
Description: Three late works, the premiere being the half-hour cantata from 1962-3 with Mary. Magdalene at the sepulcher of Christ, a scene Bliss responds to with an almost filmic zest, painting a picture of Mary’s dejection, memories of her recent past dealings with Jesus and her joy of recognition. The shorter Enchantress, an adaptation of a Theocrtus idyll (we offered a mono 1957 recording of this on Lyrita four years ago) is a dramatic scena on the order of Britten’s Phaedra. Texts included. Sarah Connolly (mezzo), James Platt (bass), BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra; Andrew Davis.