Craig Phillips / Recordings

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

Other Recordings

American Canticle (2016)

The Cathedral Choir and Schola, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Dale Adelmann, conductor

Gothic Records G-49291

Te Deum
Jubilate Deo
Nunc dimittis (Lord, you now have set your servant free)

A Choral Feast (2001)

The Choir of Men & Boys, Washington National Cathedral, Douglas Major, conductor
Gothic Records G-49126

“Gloria”  from Missa Brevis

Be Still My Soul (2006)

The Choir of All Saints’ Church, Beverly Hills, Dale Adelmann, conductor

Gothic Records G-49251

The Risen Sun
Transfiguration
We Walk by Faith

Blasts from the Past Century  (2006)

David Heller, organ
Pro Organo CD 7197

Fantasy Toccata

Burnished Bright (2006)

Gabriel V Brass Quintet, David Chalmers, organ
Paraclete Press    GDCD 040

Suite for Organ, Brass and Percussion

CD cover of Carols by Candlelight

Carols by Candlelight (2009)

The Riverside Church, New York City
Christopher Johnson, organist

JAV Recordings 159

Toccata on “Joy to the World”

For All the Saints (2020)

The Choir of All Saints’ Church, Beverly Hills, Craig Phillips, conductor
Gothic Records G-49325

Agnus Dei
Breath on me, breath of God
Peace is my last gift
Psalm 103

Easter (1997)

The Choir of All Saints’ Church, Beverly Hills, Thomas Foster, conductor
Gothic Records G-49097

On this bright Easter morn

Into the House and Gate of Heaven (2014)

The Cathedral Choir and Schola, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Dale Adelmann, conductor
Gothic Records G-49291

The Beatitudes

On A Sunday Afternoon  (2005)

Todd Wilson, organ; Yvonne Caruthers, cello
JAV Recordings JAV 149

A Song Without Words for Cello and Organ

Organ Americana (2004)

Tom Trenney, organ
Pro Organo CD 7196

Toccata on ‘Antioch’
Prelude on “Kremser”
Fantasy on “Torah Song”

Seasons of Festivity (1997)

Marilyn Keiser, organ
Arkay Records    AR6162

Prelude on “Kremser”

Silence & Music (1993)

The Choir of All Saints’ Church, Beverly Hills, Thomas Foster, conductor
Gothic Records G-49064

Hodie, Christus natus est

Sinfornia Festiva  (2005)

Paul Skevington, organ; Washington Symphonic Brass
Summit Records    DCD 436

Psalm Prelude
Fanfare
Suite for Organ, Brass and Percussion

Small Wonder  (2003)

Christmas at St. Paul’s, K Street, Washington, D. C.
Pro Organo CD  7190

The Holly and the Ivy (arr. Phillips)

Spiritual Pairs (1996)

Marilyn Keiser, organ
Pro Organo CD 7067

If you will only let God guide you

Tidings of Comfort and Joy (2019)

The Cathedral Choir and Schola, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Dale Adelmann, conductor
Gothic Records G-49323

Gabriel’s Message
Hark! the herald angels sing
Joy to the world
O come, all ye faithful
While shepherds watched their flocks