In a Monastery Garden

Ketelbey’s often distinctively evocative, exotic sounding works made him one of the most beloved composers in England during his lifetime. He was also among the first to compose background music for silent films- practically inventing, if not fully realizing the potential of the genre. Whether it’s with the lush pastoral melody set with actual bird calls in one of Ketelbey’s most famous works “In a Monastery Garden” or the highly chromatic broad orchestral gestures of “Sanctuary of the Heart” all here succeed famously in bringing back to life the unique musical charm of a bygone era. Decca’s ‘Phase 4 Stereo’ sound is also exceptionally good.