Delius: Hassan (Complete Incidental Music) – Britten Sinfonia

Hassan, DCW 8 Act 1
Prelude. Slow – Quietly but expressively
Narrator: ‘We are in old Baghdad’
Interlude between Scenes 1 and 2
Scene 2. Moonlight. The street of Felicity, by the fountain of the two pigeons, in from of the house
Narrator: ‘It is later that night’
Serenade. Con moto moderato
Narrator: ‘The shutters open, and Yasmin appears’
Melos. Hassan falls under the shadow of the fountain. The first light of dawn shines in the sky. Very quietly
Chorus behind the scenes. Not too slow
Narrator: ‘The first light of dawn shines in the sky’
Hassan, DCW 8 Act 2
Prelude. With animation
Narrator: ‘The filthy, inanimate bulk of Hassan…’
Fanfare preceding the Ballet (Gaily, outside)
No. 1, Dance of the Beggars. There enters the most awful selection of Eastern beggars the eye could imagine. Quick and v
Narrator: ‘And then, after the Beggars’
No. 2, Chorus of Women. (Enter a band of fair and dusky beauties.) Quietly
No. 3, Divertissement. Con moto
Narrator: ‘Rafi is then announced as The King of the Beggars’
No. 4, General Dance. Andante moderato – Allegro – Più mosso
Narrator: ‘Rafi is asked why he hates the Caliph so’
Chorus of Beggars and Dancing Girls (from behind the scene, after the descent of the iron curtain). Comodo
Narrator: ‘This House of the Moving Walls…’
Scene 2. The Street of Felicity. Very quietly
Narrator: ‘The SOS message has fallen from the balcony…’
Music accompanying Ishak’s poem. Not too slow
Narrator: ‘Yasmin’s regard for Hassan has instantly shifted’
Hassan, DCW 8 Act 3
Prelude. Moderato – Slower
Scene 1. Curtain
Narrator: ‘Hassan is installed at the Caliph’s Palace’
Interlude between Scenes 1 and 2. Very quietly – Slow
Narrator: ‘The slaves inform Hassan that there is a beautiful lady.
Scene 2. The great Hall of the Palace. With vigour – Quieter
Narrator: ‘We are in the Great Hall of the Caliph’s Palace’
Fanfares, in the great Hall of the Palace
Narrator: ‘As more and more people gather…’
Entry of the Caliph. Pompously
Narrator: ‘The Caliph declares the trial of the beggars open’
Fanfares
Narrator: ‘Then Rafi, King of the Beggars, is summoned’
Hassan, DCW 8 Act 4
Prelude. Slow – Passionately
Narrator: ‘In the Palace’s dark vaults’
Interlude between Scenes 1 and 2. Slow and ponderously
Narrator: ‘Sunlight streams through the cell’s grating’
Hassan, DCW 8 Act 5
Prelude. Quick – Slower, softer – Not too quick – Curtain. The Garden of the Caliph’s Palace, in front of a pavilion. Su
The song of the Muezzin at sunset
Narrator: ‘With another sunset approaching’
The Procession of Protracted Death. March tempo
Narrator: ‘The long, dreadful execution ensues…’
Prelude to the last scene. With flowing movement
Closing Scene. Slow – (The Caravan recedes farther and farther into the distance.) – (Dying away in the distance)

Zeb Soanes, Britten Sinfonia Voices, Britten Sinfonia, Jamie Phillips

Reference: 1522962133879
Barcode: 0095115229620
Length: 1:20:07
Label: Chandos