Recordings

A Festival Song

(2004) Gothic Records G-49207
The Music of Craig Phillips
The Choir of All Saints’ Beverly Hills
Tom Foster, Conductor
Craig Phillips, Organist
World Premier Recording!

In addition to his work as a composer of religious music, Craig Phillips has composed a substantial number of works for organ as well as several chamber pieces scored for solo instruments with organ accompaniment. This recording includes works for a cappella chorus and accompanied chorus, as well as works for organ plus other instruments.

Song of Zechariah: Benedictus Dominus Deus
Teach Me, My God and King
Serenade for Horn and Organ
Psalm 34
Pastorale for Bassoon and Organ
The House of Faith Has Many Rooms
And I Saw the Holy City
Ride On in Majesty
Fanfare for Organ
Keep Watch, Dear Lord
A Song Without Words for Cello and Organ
A Festival Song

Reviews:

Be Still, My Soul (Gothic Records)
Donald Rosenberg, Gramophone (February 2008)

“The traditions of Anglican choral music and beyond are blissfully served on this new recording by the Choir of All Saints’ Church in Beverly Hills… “Be Still, My Soul” is also part of the text in Phillips’s The Risen Sun, set to verses by New York poet Helen Schucman. An aura of calm gives way to spiritual ecstasy, the music abounding in tender tonal musings. Two other affecting Phillips works exist in similar airborne territory. We walk by faith, with a hymn text by Henry Alford, is an extended reverie of radiant beauty. In Transfiguration, Phillips responds to texts by Mechtild of Magdeburg and passages from the Gospels of Mark and Luke with choral lines of refulgent richness.”

A Festival Song (Gothic Records)
Victor Hill, The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians (September 2003)

“Craig is one of the most gifted, accomplisehd, and prolific composers, not only in AAM, but also in the United States. From the festive opening Song of Zechariah (Benedictus Dominus Deus) to the brilliant closing, “A Festival Song” (text of Walt Whitman, with full orchestra, commissioned by Coro Allegro, Jack Warren Burnam, Music Director), this disc is a stunning treasury of Craig’s work. His setting of Psalm 34 is melodic and compelling. A George Herbert text is heard to delightfully gentle music. Carl Daw’s inspired text “The House of Faith Has Many Rooms” receives a sensitive choral treatment. The Revelation verses for the triumphant “And I saw the Holy City” were set on commission (appropriately) for All Sants’ Church; this splended (but as yet unpublished) work would be a great addition to an All Saints’ Sunday service. The Evening Prayer mission collect “Keep Watch, Dear Lord” would grace a Choral Evensong. The signature Palm Sunday text “Ride On in Majesty” makes an excellent and largely lyrical anthem, a contrast to any of the competing hymn tunes.

Four wonderful instrumental works provide contrast: a rich Serenade for Horn and Organ, a Pastorale for Bassoon and Organ, a jubilant Fanfare for Organ, and A Song without Words for Cello and Organ (this last written in memory of Craig’s brother Brooks). Three of these are (or were at the time of release) unpublished, bu I hope that these eminently usable works will find their way into the repertory. Soloists Paul Klintworth, William Wood, and John Walz (respectively) are all excellent. Craig’s musical language is always accessible and appealing, as well as lovingly crafted.

Tom’s choral forces rise fully to the challenges of the music, with subtelty as well as brilliance, and always projecting rich tone, fine diction, and genuine musical understanding. The liner includes Byron Adams’ extended essay on Craig, full texts, credits (including information about publishers), and candid photos. Joe Bellamy’s engineering capturs the sound of the choirs, the Casavant/Rosales/Schlilcker organ, and the acoustic of the church.”

Fanfare: Christopher Wells
plays the organ music of Craig Phillips

The Casavant Organ, Opus 3878,
at Christ Church, Bronxville, New York

The “Fanfare” CD spans the gamut of Craig Phillips’ music for solo organ, from popular works best suited to worship, to virtuoso works suited for the modern-day organ recital. The new recording showcases the recently-dedicated Casavant Opus 3878 organ at Christ Church, Bronxville.

Item 7256
Just released and in stock for immediate shipment at proorgano.com