In modest departure for Intrada's Excalibur Collection, we stay ostensibly with film scores by Miklos Rozsa but travel into his original choral writing domain. Project is a favorite of our conductor, Allan Wilson, encompassing twelve choral presentations drawn from Ben-Hur and King Of Kings, prepared for public performance by school, church choirs, albeit not necessarily intended for performances of all twelve at once. Intrada release is first in decades to feature entire cycle. Most were arranged by Rozsa shortly after respective films were relased (1959, 1961), published by Robbins Music, publishing arm of MGM, with all of them scored for chorus plus either piano or organ. In this recording, organ is heard. Two include then newly-composed material: "The Mother's Love", "The Sermon On The Mount", making them of particular interest. In addition to "The Twelve Choruses", Intrada CD features incredibly complex original Rozsa choral work, drawn from text of "The Twenty-Third Psalm, Op. 34." This remains one of Rozsa's most challenging choral pieces, with multiple tonal centers, challenging rhythmic material maintaining interest throughout. Notes by Frank DeWald, conductor Allan Wilson, engineer Niall Acott. George Castle plays organ. Allan Wilson, George castle conduct Winchester Cathedral Chamber Choir. Beautiful music results! 1. The Christ Theme – From Ben-Hur 2:27 2. Star of Bethlehem – From Ben-Hur 2:10 3. The Nativity – From King of Kings 2:29 4. The Kings of Bethlehem 5:28 5. Adoration of the Magi – From Ben-Hur 2:03 6. Blessed Mary – From King of Kings 2:17 7. The Mother’s Love – From Ben-Hur 4:16 8. The Prayer of Our Lord – From King of Kings 2:32 9. The Sermon on the Mount – From King of Kings 4:49 10. The Way of the Cross – From King of Kings 4:44 11. Pietà – From King of Kings 5:32 12. King of Kings Theme – From King of Kings 2:53 13. The Twenty-Third Psalm, Op. 34 7:08
