#christopherhassall — Public Fediverse posts

Valley of Song was every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be. It's the first time, though, that I ever saw a Novello play without any of his own songs. Christopher Hassall did such a good job finishing it that I couldn't tell where one man's work ended and the other's began. What really touched my heart, though, is that this took place in Wales, where Ivor was born. More so, was that some of the songs I know as a fact were sung by the Royal Welsh Ladies Choir, and probably by the Novello Davis Choir, both of which were conducted by his mother. It is the closest I will ever come to hearing them, other than one recording I have under another conductor. I almost cried when they sang Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through the Night), which I know they sung and even recorded in 1915 (I don't have it). And of course, there was a beautiful love story, too, as always.

#ChristopherHassall #ClaraNovelloDavis #IvorNovello #ValleyofSong

This week has been one Novellian discovery after another, and each better than the last!

First, I was able to add to my film list, with Once a Lady (1931. This is not the clips I found earlier, but the full film! I also have The Lodger (1932), I Lived with You (1933), Sleeping Car (1933), and Autumn Crocus (1934). Now, I'm just missing Symphony in Two Flats )1930/wrote), But The Flesh is Weak (1932/wrote but not in it). If anyone wants the links to the others,, let me know, as they're all on Youtube. I also have Glamorous Night, but he's not in it. Mary Ellis is, though. That one I bought.

Then, I found two very unusual pieces. They are both instrumental and are actually narrated by Novello himself! They come from King's Rhapsody, which I was lucky enough to have seen (also on Youtube and well worth watching), but other than a few notes at the beginning, taken from Mountain Dove, I don't recall them being there. Maybe, this was an audio special.

Muranian Rhapsody Part 1

youtube.com/watch?v=JIbrYatXPd…

Muranian Rhapsody Part 2

youtube.com/watch?v=ciVi8L-KPe…

Today, while looking for other works written/translated by Christopher Hassall, I found something that almost brought me to tears, for several reasons. It is a tribute to Ivor Novello, made by those who knew him, a mere two days after his death! Whether reporters tracked down these poor people and bothered them or whether they got together to honour their friend, boss, etc. I don't know. But it is a golden treasure, as some of these actors I'll probably never get to hear anywhere else. Others I have, either singing or in interviews, including a huge concert narrated by Vanessa Lee.

youtube.com/watch?v=etB7t_ETqS…

The other day, I found something else by Novello, though not Ivor! I had completely forgotten that his adopted sister Marie was a classical pianist! Sadly, she died quite young, and all but two of her recordings were acoustic, as they were made in the 1920's. I found thirteen of them on Youtube, all under six minutes.

I chose this one because it's one of her two electrics, and is therefore very clear.

Arensky: Etude Op36 No13

youtube.com/watch?v=5O9J5LVA6P…

This one is not only clear for being acoustic, but there is a bit of history attached. She was actually the last living student of the composer, Theodor Leschetizky. I have never heard of him, but I'm sure some of you have.

Leschetizky: Toccata

youtube.com/watch?v=SK5qHsOf_p…

#IvorNovello #MarieNovello #theatre #films #MaryEllis #OliveGilbert#ChristopherHassall