Herbert Howells - Orchestral Works Vol.2

Herbert Howells 1892-1983

Orchestral Works Vol.2
London Symphony Orchestra , Richard Hickox (Conductor), Yvonne Kenny (Soprano)




1. Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's': Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's': Overture - Bublum
2. Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's': Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's' - Lament: Batholomew
3. Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's': Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's' - Scherzo: Blissy
4. Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's': Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's' - 'Mazurka' alias 'Minuet': Bunny
5. Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's': Suite for Orchestra - 'The B's' - March: Benjee
6. Three Dances for Violin and Orchestra: Three Dances for Violin and Orchestra : I. Giocoso molto
7. Three Dances for Violin and Orchestra: II. Quasi lento, quieto
8. Three Dances for Violin and Orchestra: Three Dances for Violin and Orchestra: III. Molto allegro
9. In Green Ways: In Green Ways: I. Under the Greenwood Tree
10. In Green Ways: In Green Ways: II. The Goat Paths
11. In Green Ways: In Green Ways: III. Merry Margaret
12. In Green Ways: In Green Ways: IV. Wanderer's Night Song
13. In Green Ways: In Green Ways: V. On the Merry First of May




In 1915 Herbert Howells was diagnosed with Graves disease and given six months to live. Since doctors believed that it was worth taking a chance on a previously untested treatment, he became the first person in the country to receive radium treatment. Fortunately he overcame this and died many years later in 1983

If you have seven minutes to spare listen to Three Dances for Violin and Orchestra: Opus 7, 2. Quasi lento, quieto and if it doesn't move you to tears you simply don't have a spirit. This little known piece of music sums up just how short and precious life is and in this beautiful piece of music you will surely discover the meaning of life.

Herbert Howells was born in Lydney, Gloucestershire, and was the youngest of six children born to Oliver and Elizabeth Howells. His father was an amateur organist, and Herbert himself showed early musical promise. He studied first with Herbert Brewer at Gloucester Cathedral, as an articled pupil alongside Ivor Novello and Ivor Gurney, the celebrated English songwriter and poet, with whom he became great friends. A September 1910 concert in Gloucester Cathedral included the premiere of a mysterious new work by the yet little-known Ralph Vaughan Williams.