So Great a Joy

So Great a Joy

A celebration of poetry and song by twentieth century British and American composers.

Janeanne Houston, soprano
Michael Kelly, piano

Released Nov. 1, 2001

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Sound clips:	Christmas Song, Alan Hovhaness
Lullaby, Randall Thompson	Love is His Name, James Holloway
Lullee, Lullay, William Bergsma	O Glorisoa Domina, Michael Head
Mary's Magnificat, Andrew Carter	The Lamb,, Ralph Vaughan Williams
Come Sing and Dance,, Herbert Howells	Corpus Christi Carol, Benjamin Britten

This collection reflects my long held and lasting interest in the marriage of poetry with song. The texts of these songs relate to Christmas, incarnation, birth, joy, wonder and the prophecy of Christ's death and resurrection. None of the songs has a traditional melody, but some have archaic texts. They represent the exemplary work of 20th Century British and American composers and mystics. As the year 2001 marks the centenary of the birth of Gerald Finzi, it gives me special pleasure to include two songs from his splendid work Dies Natalis. The title of this recording is excerpted from Thomas Traherne’s poem The Rapture used in that suite which is also scored for high voice with string orchestra. I hope this music brings as much joy to you as it has to me.

Peace on Earth
Janeanne Houston

Recorded July 21 & 22, 2001 Lagerquist Concert Hall, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington

Special thanks to: Mark Ahlness, David Dahl, Judy Carr, David Robbins, Pam Deacon, Michael Delos, James Savage, Rachel Root, Bryant and Sara Jean Currier, Art Giddings, Michael Reiter

Recording Engineer & Mastering: Al Swanson, Location Recording
Producers: David Sabee, Adam Stern
Graphics: Martin McClellan
Reproduction: Realtime Inc., Pip McCaslin

Cover Art: "Christmas Morn" by Will Hickox Low, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC / Art Resource, NY