Weir: In the Land of Uz; Beach: The Canticle of the Sun

Two significant choral premieres separated by the Atlantic Ocean and a gap of 100 years. ‘In the Land of Uz’ by Judith Weir is the first commercial recording of a major new work for choir, solo tenor and instruments premiered by conductor David Hill at the 2017 Proms. ‘Canticle of the Sun’ by US composer Amy Beach took inspiration from nature: in just a few days, the composer claimed she 'merely took down the music as if from dictation’ across this large-scale work. With her luminous choral harmonies, Beach is now finally recognized as a cornerstone 20th century American classical voice. Heard here under the baton of British conductor David Hill, the Yale Schola Cantorum has a US-wide reputation as a mixed choir of exceptional calibre.

Tracklisting:

Weir: In the Land of Uz
1. I. Prologue
2. II. Lament
3. III. Job's Comforters
4. IV. Where Is Wisdom?
5. V. The Whirlwind
6. VI. God Speaks
7. VII. Conclusion

Beach: The Canticle of the Sun
8. I. O Most High
9. II. Praised Be My Lord for Our Sister the Moon
10. III. Praised Be My Lord for our Brother Fire
11. IV. Praised Be My Lord for our Mother the Earth
12. V. Praised Be for All Those Who Pardon One Another
13. VI. Praised Be My Lord for Our Sister the Death of the Body
14. VII. Praise Ye and Bless ye the Lord