Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Lennox Berkeley's "Ruth," a chamber music masterpiece released on April 1, 2005, under the prestigious Chandos label. This album is a beautifully crafted musical narrative, spanning a generous 78 minutes, that brings to life the biblical story of Ruth through a series of evocative and intricate compositions.
Berkeley, a renowned British composer, masterfully blends orchestral and vocal elements to create a rich tapestry of sound that is both deeply moving and profoundly resonant. The album is divided into three distinct scenes, each offering a unique perspective on the timeless tale of love, loyalty, and redemption.
From the hauntingly beautiful opening scene set near Bethlehem to the joyous celebrations of the final scene, Berkeley's music guides the audience through a journey of emotional depth and musical brilliance. The album features a stellar cast of vocalists and instrumentalists, each bringing their unique talents to this compelling retelling of the story of Ruth.
"Ruth" is not just an album; it is an experience that showcases Berkeley's exceptional ability to convey the complexities of human emotion through music. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
2005 Chandos Records2005 Chandos Records
Tracks
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: A Mountainous Place Near BethlehemLennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Once More I See Your Green and Golden Hills, O Judah! (Naomi, Ruth, Orpah)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny, Claire Rutter
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Turn Back, My Daughters (Naomi, Ruth, Orpah)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny, Claire Rutter
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Almighty Father, Let My Cry Come Unto Thee! (Naomi, Orpah, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny, Claire Rutter
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Ah, Must I Leave Thee? Must We Part? (Orpah, Naomi, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny, Claire Rutter
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go (Ruth, Naomi)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: See! Is this Naomi!? (Naomi, Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Yvonne Kenny, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Ah, Call Me Not Naomi, Let Mara Be My Name (Naomi)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Yvonne Kenny
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 1: Where, Ah, Where is Naomi? (Naomi, Ruth, Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: A Harvest Field Belonging to Boaz - Gold Grows the Barley on Hillside and Valley (Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: Greetings, Men of Judah! (Head Reaper, Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: The Scatter'd Ear of Corn (Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: Come, Let Us Go Forth Together (Head Reaper, Ruth, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: Stay, Men of Judah! (Boaz, Head Reaper, Ruth, Men, Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Roderick Williams, Mark Tucker, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: I Had No Wish to Anger Them (Ruth, Boaz, Head Reaper)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Roderick Williams, Mark Tucker
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: Ah, Let Not Anger Fill Your Eyes! (Ruth, Boaz)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: Whence Cometh This to Me, That Thou Should'st Deign to Notice Me? (Ruth, Boaz)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 2: The Scatter'd Ear of Corn (Boaz, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Mark Tucker, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: A Threshing-floor, at Night - This is the Place! Come, Daughter (Naomi, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Fear Not, Beloved Ruth! (Naomi, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Golden Ripe the Barley Grows (Naomi, Ruth, Head Reaper, Boaz, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny, Mark Tucker, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Lord of the Harvest, What Are Thy Commands? (Head Reaper, Boaz, Men, Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Mark Tucker, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Winter Time is Time to Plough, Aie, the Wind Does Bite! (Men, Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Across the Field the Long Slow Line of Reapers Goes a-reaping (Women)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Dance, Come Dance, Dance Within the Ring (Head Reaper, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: O Clap Your Hands, All Ye People! (Boaz, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Mark Tucker, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Go Now, My Daughter (Naomi, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Yvonne Kenny
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Master! (Ruth, Boaz)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Thou Comest in the Stillness of the Night (Boaz, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Lo, My Beloved, My Soul's Delight, to Thee I Give My Hand (Boaz, Ruth)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Ho There, My People! (Boaz, Ruth, Naomi, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker, Yvonne Kenny, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Behold This Maid (Boaz, Ruth, Naomi, Head Reaper, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker, Yvonne Kenny, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers
Ruth, Op. 50, Scene 3: Rejoice, O Israel, Rejoice (Head Reaper, Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, Women, Men)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Mark Tucker, Yvonne Kenny, Roderick Williams, Joyful Company Of Singers