Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) is best known for his light operas written in collaboration with W. S. Gilbert. Among Sullivan's many other compositions, "The Lost Chord" was immensely popular and remains perhaps the quintessential Victorian ballad. The poem by Adelaide Proctor was published in 1858; Sullivan reportedly conceived of the music at his brother's death-bed in 1877. The song was originally scored for voice, piano and harmonium ad lib. Sung here by mezzo-soprano Barbara Hollinshead, accompanied by Michael Hendron (using his own arrangement) on a Kotykiewicz harmonium, built in Vienna, Austria c. 1900. Recorded in concert 1 May 2011 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church (K Street) in Washington, D.C.
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