The Australian Broadcasting Corporation celebrates the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with this album of patriotic favorites, hymn tunes, and classical standards. In some ways, this collection resembles other compilations released for the occasion, serving up many obligatory pieces that are guaranteed to evoke the dignity of the royal event. Yet this disc offers only music by British composers, distinguishing it from other albums that ranged farther afield into American popular songs or Broadway show tunes. ...
Read More
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation celebrates the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with this album of patriotic favorites, hymn tunes, and classical standards. In some ways, this collection resembles other compilations released for the occasion, serving up many obligatory pieces that are guaranteed to evoke the dignity of the royal event. Yet this disc offers only music by British composers, distinguishing it from other albums that ranged farther afield into American popular songs or Broadway show tunes. George Frederick Handel is well represented here with four selections, including the exciting coronation anthem Zadok the Priest, with four as well from Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Edward Elgar is allotted three tracks, though the inclusion of only one gem from the incomparable Henry Purcell, Fairest Isle from King Arthur, seems a bit ungenerous. The program offers such expected fare as Hubert Parry's rousing Jerusalem, Thomas Arne's Rule, Britannia, and the traditional God Save the...
Read Less