The First 40 Years - Volume XI (2005)

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The First 40 Years · Volume XI

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.

Disc One
Track Title Time Composer Orig. Year

Suite for Cello and Bells*
John Patterson, cello

"Commissioned in loving memory of Dee P. Patterson for the Allegro Handbell Choir."

(7:12) Donald E. Allured 1977
1.     I. Bravura 3:27
2.     II. Capriccio 1:10
3.     III. Finale 2:34
4.

Symphony for Bells*

"Composed for the Allegro Handbell Choir and dedicated by them to the loving memory of Barbara Teschner."

11:44 Donald E. Allured 1978
5. Sleigh Ride 3:14 Leroy Anderson,
arr. Robert Ivey
1981
6. Sharon's Song* 3:57 Donald E. Allured 1981
7. Silverthorne* 6:46 Donald E. Allured 1981
8. Gloria 1:47 Traditional Carol
arr. Frances Legge Callahan
1984
9. Nocturne in E minor* 5:08 Cynthia Dobrinski 1984
10. Simple Gifts 3:03 Shaker Tune,
arr. Carl Wiltse
1984
11. Canon 3:39 Johann Pachelbel,
arr. Hal H. Hopson
1984
12. Rainbow Connection 3:13 Paul Williams
and Kenny Ascher,
arr. Betty B. Garee
1984
13. Jazzy Jinglin' Bells 1:38 James Pierpont,
arr. Mary Engel
1987
14. White Christmas 5:08 Irving Berlin,
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
1987
15. Carol of the Bells 2:41 Mykolo Leontovich,
arr. Hart Morris
1987
16. The Can-Can 1:46 Jacques Offenbach,
arr. Martha Lynn Thompson
1987
17. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers 2:40 Leon Jessel,
arr. Martha Lynn Thompson
1987
18. The Stars and Stripes Forever 2:59 John Philip Sousa,
arr. Otis M. Mumaw,
ed. Dwight K. Menard
1987
19. O Come Rejoicing 1:12 Polish Carol,
arr. Martha Lynn Thompson
1990
20. Silver Bells 2:26 Jay Livingson,
arr. Ralph F. Stiles
1990
Disc Two
1. Carolers' Hoedown* 3:17 Valerie W. Stephenson 1993
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 arr. Fred Gramann 1993
3.

Elegy (orig. Tombeau)*

"Commissioned in memory of Dwight K. Menard by the 1971-1979 Allegro Handbell Choirs."

6:35 William A. Payn 1993
4.

With the Angels Let Us Sing*

"Commissioned for the Allegro Handbell Choir in memory of Linda Tice."

4:17 Carl Wiltse 1993
5. Bell Jubilee* 1:13 Ellen Jane Lorenz 1998
6. Gaudeamus: Let Us Be Joyful* 3:57 Arnold B. Sherman 1998
7. Reverberations* 2:10 Sallie Lloyd 1998
8. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 5:14 Franz Liszt,
arr. Douglas Wagner
1998
9. Deep River
Michael Surratt, piano
3:57 Spiritual,
arr. Janet Linker
and Jane McFadden
1998
10. The Blessing*
Elizabeth Jung, guest ringer
3:32 Paul A. McKlveen 1998
11. Hava Nageela 3:52 Israeli Folk Song,
arr. Douglas Floyd Smith
1998
12. Angel Tidings* 3:32 Cynthia Dobrinski 1999
13. We Three Kings 2:14 John H. Hopkins, Jr.,
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
1999
14. Up on the Housetop 2:51 Traditional Carol,
arr. Mary Kay Parrish
1999
15. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer 2:25 Johnny Marks,
Arnold B. Sherman
1999
16. Here Comes Santa Claus 2:23 Gene Autry and
Oakley Haldeman,
arr. Valerie W. Stephenson
1999
17. Jingle-Bell Rock 2:32 Joe Beal
and Jim Boothe,
arr. Douglas E. Wagner
2003
18. The Nutcracker 5:25 Peter I. Tchaikovsky,
arr. Kevin McChesney
2003
19. Noël Nouvelet/Now the Green Blade Riseth 2:22 French Carol,
arr. Kevin McChesney
2003
20. This Little Light of Mine 3:57 Traditional Spiritual,
arr. Janet Linker
and Jane McFadden
2003
21. Siyahamba (We Are Marching in the Light of God) 4:47 South African Freedom Song,
arr. Robert J. Ward
2003
22. In the Hall of the Mountain King 3:22 Edvard Grieg,
arr. Michael Keller
2003

* An original work for handbells.

Performers

1977 Allegro Handbell Choir
1978 Allegro Handbell Choir
Dwight K. Menard, director

1981 Allegro Handbell Choir
1984 Allegro Handbell Choir
1987 Allegro Handbell Choir
1990 Allegro Handbell Choir
1993 Allegro Handbell Choir
1998 Allegro Handbell Choir
1999 Allegro Handbell Choir
2003 Allegro Handbell Ensemble
Michael B. Surratt, director

Details

Released: 2005 on Compact Disc

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

Credits

Volume XI Producer: Michael B. Surratt

Digital Remastering, Post Prouction, 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
forzando.art

Photography: Bruce Chlevin

Archive Cover Scans:
Jay Freeman
Daniel Reck

Volume XI Production:
Advanced Audio Technology
Carol Stream, Illinois
www.advancedaudio.net

Special Thanks: Jean Macdonald Graven

Copyright 2005, Allegro Handbell Ensemble and the Union Church of Hinsdale, Illinois. All Rights Reserved.

This compilation is the first two-disc set issued by the Allegro Handbell Ensemble, and also the volume to feature all songs composed or commissioned for the ensemble. Volume XI features five works in their premiere compact disc releases, including two pieces which have never been published. The album includes a dozen original works for handbells in addition to a variety of classical, popular, and holiday music.

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From the CD Liner

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.