Ecce Cor Meum
Encyclopedia
Ecce Cor Meum is the fourth classical album by Paul McCartney
. The album was released on 25 September 2006 by EMI Classics
. An oratorio
in four movements, it is produced and orchestrated by John Fraser, written in Latin and English
, and scored for orchestra
and boys and adult choir
.
. The reference in the church context is to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, although McCartney freely adapted the text for use in his composition. Upon Sir Paul's grant of arms, he adopted "ECCE COR MEUM" as his motto. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2599041.stm
Ecce Cor Meum had been more than eight years in the making and its origins follow in the tradition of composers commissioned to write music for Magdalen College, Oxford
. Sir Paul was invited by Anthony Smith
(President of Magdalen College 1998–2005) to compose something to set the seal on a new concert hall for the college.
The composition was delayed by the death of Sir Paul's wife, and could not be used for the opening of the new auditorium (which was celebrated instead by a premiere of Tony Harrison
's verse film, "Prometheus"). Fortunately, the project did not die: with encouragement from the then Oxford University Music Society
president and perseverance by the College itself, the work was finished and eventually performed in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, in November 2001.
Originally, it was presented in 2001 with the full Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford
conducted by Bill Ives
, in the Sheldonian Theatre
, Oxford
. Sir Paul McCartney expressed in the programme his hope "that this piece will carry the name of Magdalen to all parts of the globe and help to make people aware of the noble institution that it is". Photographs of the premiere can be found at http://titan.glo.be/~kg001310/oxford.html.
Produced by John Fraser, Ecce Cor Meum was recorded at Abbey Road Studios
between March 13th and 17th 2006.http://www.emiclassics.com/releaseabout.php?rid=12004#. It was performed by soprano Kate Royal
, the boys of Magdalen College Choir, Oxford, the boys of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge
, and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Gavin Greenaway
.
Its American première was 14 November 2006 at a sold-out Carnegie Hall
in New York City
. Scored for choir and orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke's under Gavin Greenaway
joined the Concert Chorale of New York and the American Boychoir, with soprano Kate Royal
and Andrew Staples as soloists. The concert was simulcast over WNYC-FM, New York Public Radio and webcast over wnyc.org.
The Canadian première took place on 27 October 2007 at Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario
. Conducted by Toronto conductor Robert Cooper, it was performed by the combined forces of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Chorus Niagara, London Pro Musica, the Amabile Treble Choir and Orchestra London.
On 3 May 2007, at the Royal Albert Hall
Paul McCartney was presented with the Best Album Award at the Classical Brits for his fourth classical album Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart), an album partly inspired by his late wife Linda
. The award was voted for by readers of Classic FM
magazine and listeners of Classic FM. Paul’s album had tough competition alongside favourites such as Katherine Jenkins
, Alfie Boe
and Sting. The album was a big hit in the classical world, reaching #2 in the Top Classical Albums charts from the U.S.
.
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
. The album was released on 25 September 2006 by EMI Classics
EMI Classics
EMI Classics is a record label of EMI, formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases....
. An oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
in four movements, it is produced and orchestrated by John Fraser, written in Latin and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, and scored for orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
and boys and adult choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
.
History
The title was inspired by the inscription McCartney noticed above a statue of Jesus in St. Ignatius Church, New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The reference in the church context is to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, although McCartney freely adapted the text for use in his composition. Upon Sir Paul's grant of arms, he adopted "ECCE COR MEUM" as his motto. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2599041.stm
Ecce Cor Meum had been more than eight years in the making and its origins follow in the tradition of composers commissioned to write music for Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
. Sir Paul was invited by Anthony Smith
Anthony Smith (producer)
Professor Anthony Smith, CBE, is a British broadcaster, author and academic, who was President of Magdalen College, Oxford University between 1988 and 2005.-Life:...
(President of Magdalen College 1998–2005) to compose something to set the seal on a new concert hall for the college.
The composition was delayed by the death of Sir Paul's wife, and could not be used for the opening of the new auditorium (which was celebrated instead by a premiere of Tony Harrison
Tony Harrison
Tony Harrison is an English poet and playwright. He is noted for controversial works such as the poem V and Fram, as well as his versions of ancient Greek tragedies, including the Oresteia and Hecuba...
's verse film, "Prometheus"). Fortunately, the project did not die: with encouragement from the then Oxford University Music Society
Oxford University Music Society
Formed in 1867, the Oxford University Music Society is one of the oldest societies in Oxford University. It was founded to promote the appreciation and performance of music within the University...
president and perseverance by the College itself, the work was finished and eventually performed in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, in November 2001.
Originally, it was presented in 2001 with the full Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
conducted by Bill Ives
Grayston Ives
Grayston "Bill" Ives is a British composer, singer and choral director. Until March 2009, he was Organist, Informator Choristarum and Fellow and Tutor in Music at Magdalen College, Oxford. In this role he was responsible for the daily musical life of the college chapel...
, in the Sheldonian Theatre
Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university at the time and the project's main financial backer...
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Sir Paul McCartney expressed in the programme his hope "that this piece will carry the name of Magdalen to all parts of the globe and help to make people aware of the noble institution that it is". Photographs of the premiere can be found at http://titan.glo.be/~kg001310/oxford.html.
Produced by John Fraser, Ecce Cor Meum was recorded at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
between March 13th and 17th 2006.http://www.emiclassics.com/releaseabout.php?rid=12004#. It was performed by soprano Kate Royal
Kate Royal
Kate Royal is an English lyric soprano. She is the daughter of Steve Royal, a singer and songwriter for television, and of Carolyn Royal, a former model and dancer....
, the boys of Magdalen College Choir, Oxford, the boys of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Choir of King's College, Cambridge
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great British choral tradition. It was created by King Henry VI, who founded King's College, Cambridge in 1441, to provide daily singing in his Chapel, which remains the main task of the...
, and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway is a music composer and conductor. He is the son of Roger Greenaway.Educated at Strode's College and Trinity College of Music. He started working with his father before leaving school...
.
Its American première was 14 November 2006 at a sold-out Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Scored for choir and orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke's under Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway is a music composer and conductor. He is the son of Roger Greenaway.Educated at Strode's College and Trinity College of Music. He started working with his father before leaving school...
joined the Concert Chorale of New York and the American Boychoir, with soprano Kate Royal
Kate Royal
Kate Royal is an English lyric soprano. She is the daughter of Steve Royal, a singer and songwriter for television, and of Carolyn Royal, a former model and dancer....
and Andrew Staples as soloists. The concert was simulcast over WNYC-FM, New York Public Radio and webcast over wnyc.org.
The Canadian première took place on 27 October 2007 at Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. Conducted by Toronto conductor Robert Cooper, it was performed by the combined forces of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Chorus Niagara, London Pro Musica, the Amabile Treble Choir and Orchestra London.
On 3 May 2007, at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
Paul McCartney was presented with the Best Album Award at the Classical Brits for his fourth classical album Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart), an album partly inspired by his late wife Linda
Linda McCartney
Linda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
. The award was voted for by readers of Classic FM
Classic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
magazine and listeners of Classic FM. Paul’s album had tough competition alongside favourites such as Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.-Early life and education:...
, Alfie Boe
Alfie Boe
Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe, known professionally initially as Alf or Alfred Boe and now as Alfie Boe, , is an English tenor.-Background:...
and Sting. The album was a big hit in the classical world, reaching #2 in the Top Classical Albums charts from the U.S.
Track listing
All pieces by Paul McCartneyPaul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
.
- "Spiritus" – 12:00
- "Gratia" – 10:50
- "Interlude (Lament)" – 3:56
- "Musica" – 15:14
- "Ecce Cor Meum" – 14:50
Release details
| Country | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
25 September 2006 | EMI Classics EMI Classics EMI Classics is a record label of EMI, formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases.... |
CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... (limited edition) |
3704232 / 0946 3 70423 2 8 |
| CD | 3704242 / 0946 3 70424 2 7 | |||
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
26 September 2006 | Angel Records Angel Records Angel Records is a record label belonging to EMI. It was formed in 1953 and specialised in classical music, but included an occasional operetta or Broadway score... , EMI Classics |
CD | 0946 3 70424 2 7 |
| 17 October 2006 | CD (limited edition) | 0946 3 70423 2 8 | ||
| Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
29 September 2006 | Toshiba-EMI Toshiba-EMI (formerly , is one of Japan's leading music companies. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of British music company EMI Group Ltd. in June 30, 2007 after Toshiba sold off its previous 45% stake. The current CEO and president is San-e Ichii. When EMI Music Japan was trading as Toshiba-EMI, it was... |
CD | TOCP70099 |
External links
- Ecce Cor Meum – official site.
- Pictures from the United States premiere at Carnegie Hall