Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Christchurch, New Zealand
Patricia Rozario, Anne Schwanewilms, Daniel Norman, Paul Whelan, Christchurch Cathedral Choir, Oxford University Chamber Orchestra. Grier’s musical language draws for its inspiration on the glories of Gregorian chant and is, by turns, elegiac and powerful. The cantata is based on the enduring story of the journey of the first settlers, ”The Canterbury Pilgrims”, who travelled from England to Christchurch, New Zealand in 1850.
Music by FRANCIS GRIER
Words by SUE MAYO
Live Recording of First Performance – a dramatic cantata in 7 choral sections (3 psalms and 4 canticles) and 6 sung narrative sections
Stephen Darlington Conductor
On This Recording
- Around the Curve of the World: Canticle 1: Praise the Lord (Emigrant Woman, Chorus, Emigrant Man)
- Around the Curve of the World: Narrative 1: Now the Lord said unto Abraham (All)
- Around the Curve of the World: First Psalm: I rise in the morning and hear Your voice (All)
- Around the Curve of the World: Narrative 2: Behold, a sower went out to sow (All)
- Around the Curve of the World: Canticle 1: The dry land is left behind (Chorus)
- Around the Curve of the World: Narrative 3: Thus saith the Lord, for as the rain cometh down (John Godley, Charlotte Godley)
- Around the Curve of the World: Second Psalm: How deep are your oceans! (All)
- Around the Curve of the World: Narrative 4: The ship was now in the midst of the sea (John Godley, Emigrant Woman)
- Around the Curve of the World: Canticle 3: The sea teems with life (Chorus)
- Around the Curve of the World: Narrative 5: Now therefore ye are not strangers and sojourners (All)
- Around the Curve of the World: Third Psalm: My breath lies quiet at the door of my mouth (Chorus)
- Around the Curve of the World: Narrative 6: He is like the man which built an house (All)
- Around the Curve of the World: Canticle 4: Praise to our God! (Chorus, Emigrant Woman, Emigrant Man)
