I Hope He Gets There!

 

The titular Pilgrim, that is...

For all of the Pilgrim's Progress progenitors Hyperion produced, I don't think they ever recorded the actual opera these works spawned.

The Bunyan Sequence is a radio-play version of the opera's story, complete with narration from Sir John Gielgud, who performed on the original 40s broadcast.

As you would find in other places on this blog, I enjoy incidental-music narration paired with orchestral and choral fare. I know it bothers many, but this listener is never turned off by speaking alongside music.

Matthew Best and the Corydon Singers put on a terrific production here, and those interested in the evolution of a work would do well to hear this, in addition to the even earlier dramatic scene Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains (BLOG).

As a side note, both of the covers on these two Hyperion recordings come with the murkiest of cover art. What is going on in there?

A review from 2023

For those reticent to attempt British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Four-Act opera The Pilgrim’s Progress, found on EMI with Sir Adrian Boult, Hyperion has VW’s two earlier, shorter forms of that final work to prepare the listener. The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains is a 20-minute opera scene, with the wonderful baritone Bryn Terfel on Hyperion. The other is the hour-long radio play, here called The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Bunyan Sequence, reconstructed by Christopher Palmer.

Since it is a radio play, there is dialog telling the story of the pilgrim trying to reach the Holy City, while VW’s music responds to the episodic direction of the story, rarely the two overlapping each other. The responding music is usually orchestral only, although there is the occasional vocal solo, and the chorus appears twice to place an exclamation point on the final proceedings.

The story itself is a religious morality tale, and RVW’s music is quite lovely throughout. The opening is majestic and medieval sounding, and oft returns to this listener’s delight. When the main character hits pit stops in his journey, usually meeting an unexpected obstacle, there are a fair amount of musically lush landscapes, exoticisms and revelry, and menacing characters and daring escapes. Well-crafted musically, foretasting the biblical epic.

Sir John Gielgud starred in the original 1940’s radio play, now found on Albion in historical sound. Gielgud returned in the 90’s to reprise his role, post-Arthur 2: On the Rocks, and is just as effective, if not moreso nearing the end of his career. The narrator Richard Pasco takes on several roles, but is never arch or theatrical.

The City of London Sinfonia plays beautifully, and when the Corydon Singers arrive, the result is emotionally overwhelming. I enjoyed this production very much.

 

 

 

 

Works
The Pilgrim's Progress, A Bunyan Sequence

Soloists
Aidan Oliver, treble
Richard Pasco, narrator
Ursula Howells, narrator
Sir John Gielgud, narrator

Ensembles
Corydon Singers
City of London Sinfonia
Matthew Best

Label: Hyperion
Year: 1991
Timing: 64.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you don't mind narration, the Bunyan Sequence will be a wonderful experience of Vaughan Williams' music.

Much of the music is in reaction to the story, so it is interesting to hear how it actually comes together.

Of course, Matthew Best and the Corydon Singers do a lovely job, supported by the City of London Sinfonia.