William Mathias' 'This World's Joie'

This is another in a series of choral-orchestral recordings from vintage EMI pressings that so far has been mainly devoted to Vaughan Williams. I will return to VW, but first here is a transfer of a favorite work of mine. It is This World's Joie, by the Welsh composer William Mathias (1932-92), in a particularly good performance and recording.

The piece is a setting of seasonal texts  from early medieval times to the 16th century. Mathias works his way through the cycle of seasons, ending with a celebration of rebirth.

William Mathias

As Mathias writes in his notably clear sleeve note, the work's four sections "are designed to reflect both the seasons of the year and the span of human life." He adds that, "This World's Joie is ultimately meant to be enjoyed by both listeners and performers... It is throughout an Act of Celebration."

The work is highly successful in meeting its aims, aided by Mathias' careful choice of texts and his brilliant orchestration. This all is underlined by a superb late analog recording from Abbey Road Studio No. 1 - and of course the excellent performers.

David Willcocks

Leading the work is David Willcocks, who has figured in most of the Vaughan Williams recordings I have posted. Here he conducts his Bach Choir, the Choristers of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and the New Philharmonia Orchestra.

Kenneth Bowen, Janet Price, Michael Rippon

The soloists are among the finest then active in the UK - soprano Janet Price, tenor Kenneth Bowen and baritone Michael Rippon.

The download includes the usual scans, plus the text booklet and a Gramophone review.

I believe Mathias' work to an extent was inspired by Britten's Spring Symphony (and perhaps certain of Vaughan Williams' compositions). I have the excellent 1979 Previn recording of the Britten work in the queue for posting.

Gramophone ad, December 1976