Direct from the producer Stephen R Beet
- The Better Land Volumes 2 - 6
This unique series of discs presents long-lost boy soprano recordings from the first half of the 20th
century, many of which have not been heard since before World War II.
The remarkable training technique which kept boys singing soprano until
the age of 17 or 18 has nearly been completely lost, and these
historical recordings are testament to the beauty and power of that
forgotten sound. The success of "The Better Land" series, featuring boy
sopranos of the 20th century has awakened interest in that great choir
to which several of the boys belonged, the Temple Church Choir, and in
the man who trained them. Several of the "boys" have been closely
involved with the preparation of these CDs.
Volume 1 is also available for a further £10. Contact me for details. If the full set (including vol one) is bought a FREE copy of the accompanying book: The Better land - in search of the lost Boy Sopranos will be included. |
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Featuring
The Better Land Series
Frank Bird
Richard Bonsall
Master Vernon Carter
Desmond Casey
Thomas Criddle
John Evans-Pughe
Robin Fairhurst
John Gwilym Griffith(s)
Raymond Kinsey
Walter Lawrence
Michael Lumb
Billy Neely
Christopher Robins
Mansel Squire
The Choir of St. Nicholas' College, Chislehurst
Robert 'Bobby' Waddell
The Better Land Volume 6, with Master Thomas Criddle's photo on
the cover, features some previously unissued recordings and broadcasts
from the days when 'bel canto' and 'Old Cathedral Tone' was taught to
our finest soloists. In addition to a previously 'lost' recording of
Billy Neely, this includes broadcast recordings of Master Robin
Fairhurst (Temple Church) and an unpublished recording of Vernon Carter.
The choristers of St Nicholas' College Chislehurst feature by popular
request in their famous 'Brother James' Air and O Lovely Peace. Master
Thomas Criddle's amazing voice has excited much comment by reviewers and
singing teachers.
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This disc is quite remarkable for the wide range of vocal qualities and
styles displayed, spanning a period of nearly 60 years. The two tracks
by John Gwilym Griffith (new to CD) are alone worth the price of the
disc, being sung with exquisite tone, style and feeling. Walter
Lawrence, the New York choirboy, shows us in a track from 100 years ago,
an amazingly easy vocal mastery of coloratura in "Rejoice Greatly"
(Messiah), despite the slightly hurried tempi necessary to fit the
(abridged) aria onto a 4-minute disc. The French song on his other track
is another example of excellent technique and breath control. Thomas
Criddle again shows a very attractive, pure, clear voice and good style
in his May 1943 items. Frank Bird (also newly on CD), sounding younger
than his 15¼ years, is a fine example of the English parish choirboy
between the wars.
Other tracks are perhaps not quite as pleasurable, but rewarding in
their own way as historically illustrative. Michael Lumb and John
Evans-Pugh sing in an over-refined or "precious" manner now outdated and
probably not to most tastes. Robin Fairhurst lacks the necessary
"steel" in his voice and has less than ideal breath control, while
Raymond Kinsey (so prized in volumes 4 & 5) here sounds tired in a
laboured account of Gounod's "Ave Maria". Mansel Squire's rendering of
"I know that my Redeemer liveth" (Messiah) is rather curious: worryingly
hesitant and inexpressive, without the progress from conviction in the
opening lines, through triumph to awe and wonder at Divine grace, which
the very best singers bring to the piece. He is not helped by an
uninspiring organ accompaniment. One can only assume that limited studio
time precluded a re-take.
In summary, with a total playing time of 76 minutes this is a valuable
document for those interested in the singing styles of boy soloists
(both choristers and entertainers) since the earliest days of recording
and the disc bears repeated careful listening.
BJP
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Email
Stephen Beet
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Order directly from Stephen Beet to avail of the special price: Each CD is £10 plus postage.
The Better Land set of six CDs is £60 plus postage. (This includes a
copy of Mr. Beet's book "The Better Land - In search of the lost boy
sopranos." Please contact Mr. Beet StephenRBeet@gmail.com. PayPal
address: beetstphn@aol.com Prices quoted in Euro and other currency
on request. |
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Featuring
The Better Land Series
Derek Barsham
John Bonner
Alan Bradbrook
Master John Brookman
Thomas Criddle
Master Leslie Day
Beverley Jones
Raymond Kinsey
Cyril Lewis
Ernest Lough
Michael Morley
Billy Neely
Robert Duncan Peel
Kenneth Purves
Robert Regent
Trevor Schofield
* denotes recordings published for the first time
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Email
Purchase from the producer, Stephen Beet
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You
can order the Better Land CDs directly from producer Stephen Beet for
£10.00 plus post and packing. £60 for the set of 6 CD's (which includes,
as a special offer, Stephen R. Beet's book "The Better land - in search
of the lost boy sopranos" E-mail for postage quotes:
StephenRBeet@gmail.com
PayPal address: beetstphn@aol.com
Please make cheques payable to "Stephen Beet". |
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Featuring
The Better Land Series
Derek Barsham
John Bonner
Master John Brookman
Master Leslie Day
Robert Harris
Beverley Jones
Raymond Kinsey
Harold Langston
Ernest Lough
Brian Moody
Billy Neely
Graham Payn
Robert Regent
Trevor Schofield
* denotes recordings published for the first time
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Email
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Available
from the producer at £10 plus postage, or £60 plus postage for the set
of 6 CD's (which includes as a special offer Stephen R. Beet's book "The
Better Land - in search of the lost boy sopranos"
Contact StephenRBeet@gmail.com Paypal: beetstphn@aol.com |
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Featuring
Derek Barsham
The Better Land Series
Billy Neely
Denis Barthel
Harold Langston
Thomas Meddings
Graham Payn
Temple Church Choir
Denis Wright
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Featuring
The Better Land Series
Derek Barsham
Donald Collup
Robert Harris
Michael Morley
Billy Neely
Graham Payn
Kenneth Purves
* denotes recordings published for the first time.
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1.
Bless this House (H. Taylor-May H Brahe) (L) |
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Master Michael Morley |
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2.
Beyond the Dawn (Sanderson-Weatherly) |
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Master Derek Barsham |
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3.
Hear Ye Israel* (Mendelssohn) (L) |
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Master Kenneth Purves |
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4.
The First Mercy (Blunt-Warlock) (L) |
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Master Billy Neely |
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5.
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers* (A.A. Milne-H Fraser-Simpson) (L) |
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Master Billy Neely |
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6.
On wings of Song (Mendelssohn-Elkin) |
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Master Derek Barsham |
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7.
Somewhere a Voice is calling* (Newton & Tate) |
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Master Graham Payn |
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8.
By that old armchair (Arale Dene) |
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Master Graham Payn |
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9.
Angels ever bright (Handel) (L) |
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Master Kenneth Purves |
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10.
Children's Songs (Arensky) a) The Robin, b) A Fable, c) Sad little bird, d) Child & the butterfl |
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Master Billy Neely |
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11.
Hark Hark, the lark (Schubert) (L) |
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Master Michael Morley |
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12.
Hear my prayer/O for the wings of a dove (Mendelssohn- arr. Leslie Woodgate) (L) |
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Master Derek Barsham with the High Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir |
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13.
The Lass with the delicate air (Michael Arne) |
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Master Michael Morley |
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14.
How Lovely are Thy Dwellings (Liddel) |
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Master Kenneth Purves |
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15.
Exultate Jubilate* (Mozart) (L) |
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Master Donald Collup |
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16.
Birdsong at Eventide (Barrie-Coates) |
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Master Robert Harris |
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17.
Nursery Scene, Boris Godounov (Moussorgsky) |
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Master Derek Barsham & Norman Lumsden, bass
Recorded
30 Apl. 1947 (AR11093 & 11094), with Gladys Palmer, contralto,
Norman Lumsden, bass & London Symphony Orchestra cond. Stanford
Robinson. Issued June 1947 on Decca K.1601. ["Better Land" the two parts
separately in vols. 3 & 4] |
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18.
Father who hast made us brothers (Baron) |
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Master Derek Barsham |
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19.
Coventry Carol (Traditional, arr. Moore) (L) |
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Master Billy Neely |
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20.
The Holy City (Adams-Weatherly) (L) |
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Master Derek Barsham |
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