The performances of more than one hundred handbell ringers and two directors are represented on this two-disc compilation volume. This compilation represents some of the very best recordings performed by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble on its first ten albums, and includes the world premiere compact disc releases of the never-published Suite for Cello and Bells and Symphony for Bells, works commissioned for the ensemble from Donald E. Allured. This is the group's twelfth album.
Historical Note
This compilation is the first two-disc set issued by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble, and also the first to feature all songs composed or commissioned for the ensemble. Volume XI features fives works in their premiere compact disc releases, including two works which have never been published.
From the Insert
Founded by John Macdonald in 1967 as the Union Church Handbell Choir, the Allegro Handbell Ensemble has been an organization of learning and growth for dozens of high school musicians, to the delight of audiences around the world.
The performances of more than one hundred handbell ringers and two directors are represented on this two-disc compilation volume. This compilation represents some of the very best recordings performed by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble on its first ten albums, and includes the world premiere compact disc releases of the never-published Suite for Cello and Bells and Symphony for Bells, works commissioned for the ensemble from Donald E. Allured.
With one exception, each track from Volumes I through VII was digitally remastered from the original recording reels. The 1978 recording of Symphony for Bells was remastered from a clean LP record. Each subsequent track was recorded digitally and was simply transferred to this compilation without modification.
The case insert contains twelve pages of information and history about the Allegro Handbell Ensemble and the musicians who appear on the discs, as well as production information about every Allegro handbell Ensemble recording since Volume I.
Additional information from the insert, including the names of all performers, the particulars of each recording, has been omitted.
Track List
from the insert
| DISC ONE |
|
| Track |
Title |
Time |
Orig. Year
|
Composer, Arranger |
1.
2.
3. |
Suite for Cello and Bells
I. Bravura
II. Capriccio
III. Finale
"Commissioned in loving memory of
Dee. P. Patterson for the Allegro Handbell Choir." |
(7:21)
3:29
1:14
2:37 |
1977 |
Donald E. Allured |
| 4. |
Symphony for Bells
"Composed for the Allegro Handbell Choir
and dedicated by them to the loving memory of Barbara Teshner." |
11:44 |
1978 |
Donald E. Allured |
| 5. |
Sleigh Ride |
3:14 |
1981 |
Leroy Anderson,
arr. Robert Ivey |
| 6. |
Sharon's Song |
3:57 |
1981 |
Donald E. Allured |
| 7. |
Silverthorne |
6:46 |
1981 |
Donald E. Allured |
| 8. |
Gloria |
1:47 |
1984 |
Traditional Carol
arr. Frances Legge Callahan |
| 9. |
Nocturne in E minor |
5:08 |
1984 |
Cynthia Dobrinski |
| 10. |
Simple Gifts |
3:03 |
1984 |
Shaker Tune,
arr. Carl Wiltse |
| 11. |
Canon |
3:39 |
1984 |
Johann Pachelbel,
arr. Hal H. Hopson |
| 12. |
Rainbow Connection |
3:13 |
1984 |
Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher,
arr. Betty B. Garee |
| 13. |
Jazzy Jinglin' Bells |
1:38 |
1987 |
James Pierpont, arr. Mary Engel |
| 14. |
White Christmas |
5:08 |
1987 |
Irving Berlin,
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski |
| 15. |
Carol of the Bells |
2:41 |
1987 |
Mykolo Leontovich,
arr. Hart Morris |
| 16. |
The Can-Can |
1:46 |
1987 |
Jacques Offenbach,
arr. Martha Lynn Thompson |
| 17. |
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers |
2:40 |
1987 |
Leon Jessel,
arr. Marthya Lynn Thompson |
| 18. |
The Stars and Stripes Forever |
2:59 |
1987 |
John Philip Sousa,
arr. Otis J. Mumaw,
ed. Dwight K. Menard |
| 19. |
O Come Rejoicing |
1:12 |
1990 |
Polish Carol,
arr. Martha Lynn Thopson |
| 20. |
Silver Bells |
2:26 |
1990 |
Jay Livingston,
arr. Ralph F. Stiles |
DISC TWO |
|
| Track |
Title |
Time |
Orig. Year
|
Composer, Arranger |
| 1. |
Caroloers' Hoedown |
3:17 |
1993 |
Valerie W. Stephenson |
| 2. |
O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing!
"Presented to the Allegro Handbell Choir
at the American Church in Paris, June 30, 1991." |
3:47 |
1993 |
arr. Fred Gramann |
| 3. |
Elegy (orig. Tombeau)
"Commissioned in memory of Dwight K. Menard
by the 1971-1979 Allegro Handbell Choirs." |
6:35 |
1993 |
William A. Payn |
| 4. |
With the Angels Let Us Sing
"Commissioned for the Allegro Handbell Choir
in memory of Linda Tice." |
4:17 |
1993 |
Carl Wiltse |
| 5. |
Bell Jubilee |
1:13 |
1998 |
Ellen Jane Lorenz |
| 6. |
Gaudeamus: Let Us Be Joyful |
3:57 |
1998 |
Arnold B. Sherman |
| 7. |
Reverberations |
2:10 |
1998 |
Sallie Lloyd |
| 8. |
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 |
5:14 |
1998 |
Franz Liszt,
arr. Douglas Wagner |
| 9. |
Deep River
Michael Surratt, piano |
3:54 |
1998 |
Spiritual,
arr. Janet Linker
and Jane McFadden |
| 10. |
The Blessing
Elizabeth Jung, guest ringer |
3:32 |
1998 |
Paul A. McKlveen |
| 11. |
Hava Nageela |
3:52 |
1998 |
Israeli Folk Song,
arr. Douglass Floyd Smith |
| 12. |
Angel Tidings |
3:32 |
1999 |
Cynthia Dobrinski |
| 13. |
We Three Kings |
2:14 |
1999 |
John H. Hopkins, Jr.,
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski |
| 14. |
Up on the Housetop |
2:51 |
1999 |
Traditional Carol,
arr. Mary Kay Parrish |
| 15. |
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer |
2:25 |
1999 |
Johnny Marks,
arr. Arnold B. Sherman |
| 16. |
Here Comes Santa Claus |
2:23 |
1999 |
Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman,
arr. Valerie W. Stephenson |
| 17. |
Jingle-Bell Rock |
2:32 |
2003 |
Joe Beal and Jim Boothe,
arr. Douglas E. Wagner |
| 18. |
The Nutcracker |
5:25 |
2003 |
Peter I. Tchaikovsky,
arr. Kevin McChesney |
| 19. |
Noël Nouvelet/Now the Green Blade Riseth
|
2:22 |
2003 |
French Carol,
arr. Kevin McChesney |
| 20. |
This Little Light of Mine |
3:57 |
2003 |
Traditional Spiritual,
arr. Janet Linker
and Jane McFadden |
| 21. |
Siyahamba (We Are Marching in the Light of God) |
4:47 |
2003 |
South African Freedom Song,
arr. Robert J. Ward |
| 22. |
In the Hall of the Mountain King |
3:22 |
2003 |
Edvard Grieg,
arr. Michael Keller |
Recording Credits
from the insert
|
Volume XI Producer
Michael B. Surratt
Digital Remastering, Post Production, and CD Mastering
Gerald G. LeCompte
Recording Engineers
Mark Rubenstein, Tracks 1-4 (Disc 1)
Cynthia Cash Rowe, Tracks 1-3 (Disc 1)
Gerald G. LeCompte Tracks 5-21 (Disc 1) and Tracks 1-4 and 17-22 (Disc 2)
Robert Atkins, Tracks 5-16 (Disc 2)
Graphic Design and Copy
Daniel Reck, forzandoArts
www.forzando.net
Photography
Bruce Chlevin
Archive Cover Scans
Jay Freeman
Daniel Reck
Volume XI Production
Advanced Audio Technology
Carol Stream, Illinois
www.advancedaudio.net
|
Recording Locations
Tracks 1-4 (Disc 1)
Streeterville Studios
Chicago, Illinois
All Remaining Tracks
Recorded Live in the
Sanctuary of Union Church
Hinsdale, Illinois
www.uchinsdale.org
Special Thanks
Jean Macdonald Graven
Copyright 2005
Allegro Handbell Ensemble and
the Union Church of Hinsdale
|
