Saint Pauli Storm

This disc makes for a satisfying programme. I agree with its title, too, for although reference books often call Honegger Swiss he was born in Le Havre, became a pupil of d'Indy in Paris, was one of Les Six and died in the French capital. His Cello Concerto is a small work both in style and content, pastorally Gallic in feeling and with a bouncy second section and finale to its single-movement form. This is unfamiliar repertory, well written for the cello, that earns its place in the catalogue.

The laus perennis that the monks every day in their psalmody offer to the Lord, is adorned with hymns, antiphons and responsories; all chants drawn from the ancient gregorian repertory. With this daily practice and custom, the monks become almost the only custodians and specialists of this patrimony of the highest religious, cultural and artistic merit that is gregorian chant. The monks of Montecassino – always faithful cultivators of this venerable chant, proper to the lit- urgy of the Church – with the present CD want to make these melodies, which are an elevated form of prayer, resound also outside of the monastery walls. The recording was completed at the Tomb of St. Benedict and is intended as an affectionate hymn of sons towards their father and master: in fact, a good part of the liturgy of the Solemnity of St.Benedict of the traditional date of March 21 was performed.

STORM AT SUNRISE was an unusual progressive/hard rock band from Texas. It was founded by multi-instrumentalist Dave GRYDER, a musician who previously played drums and sang in metal bands Morning Thunder [with future Underground Railroad guitarist Bill Pohl], Heaven's Force, and Rotting Corpse. After leaving Corpse, GRYDER started his solo career as a symphonic prog keyboardist under the moniker "Covenant" and released one album in 1992, 'Nature's Divine Reflection'. Around the turn of 2000, he created band STORM AT SUNRISE together with guitarist Ernie MYERS [previously in symphonic prog band HANDS] & bassist John CHESTERFIELD. GRYDER took on keys, drums & vocal duties and consequently STORM at SUNRISE never played concerts, becoming primarily a studio act.

STORM AT SUNRISE was an unusual progressive/hard rock band from Texas. It was founded by multi-instrumentalist Dave GRYDER, a musician who previously played drums and sang in metal bands Morning Thunder [with future Underground Railroad guitarist Bill Pohl], Heaven's Force, and Rotting Corpse. After leaving Corpse, GRYDER started his solo career as a symphonic prog keyboardist under the moniker "Covenant" and released one album in 1992, 'Nature's Divine Reflection'. Around the turn of 2000, he created band STORM AT SUNRISE together with guitarist Ernie MYERS [previously in symphonic prog band HANDS] & bassist John CHESTERFIELD. GRYDER took on keys, drums & vocal duties and consequently STORM at SUNRISE never played concerts, becoming primarily a studio act.

This programme reflects the full flavour and richness of English music and the instrumental and vocal repertory it inspired in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The rhythmic impulse of this repertory sometimes making use of ostinato culminates in the grounds, jigs, contredanses and so on that were all the rage at the time and led to the publication of John Playford's collection The English Dancing Master in 1651. Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien, showing their familiarity with early sources from England, Scotland and Ireland, also emphasise the melodic aspect of these dances, which in the course of time became sung airs the soprano Fiona McGown and the baritone Enea Sorini complete a colourful instrumentarium. Finally, the light-hearted dimension of entertainment is present everywhere in this repertory, which was popular in the sense that it was universally practised at the time, achieving a fame that spread far beyond the British Isles.