Of Times and Seasons – Songs and Anthems by Peter Lea-Cox
Peter Lea-Cox is an English composer who while concentrating on vocal (usually sacred) music, employs a huge range of styles in order to best express the words being set – from the dissonance of Winter Prelude to the simple folk-like melody of ‘Let the Season Lift your Spirit’. Above all is Peter’s tremendous sensitivity to the texts and the word-painting and coloration he employs. This album presents a set of six songs on texts by Gerard Manley Hopkins, a set of Anthems for solo voice – for several of the ecclesiastical seasons – and a collection of other songs.
Track Listing
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Peter Lea-Cox:
- Six Songs of Gerard Manley Hopkins − I. Hurrahing in Harvest (2:49)
- Six Songs of Gerard Manley Hopkins − II. Spring (2:37)
- Six Songs of Gerard Manley Hopkins − III. Pied Beauty (1:34)
- Six Songs of Gerard Manley Hopkins − IV. Thee, God, I come from (2:28)
- Six Songs of Gerard Manley Hopkins − V. As kingfishers catch fire (2:24)
- Six Songs of Gerard Manley Hopkins − VI. The Windhover (2:33)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − I.Noel Nouvelet (4:07)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − II. Behold, the herald's voice is calling (4:37)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − III. Crown him, Lord of Lords (3:21)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − IV. God's word is our great heritage (2:39)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems −V. Baptised into your Name most Holy (2:38)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − VI. Saviour, when in dust to you (4:02)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − VII. Come before the Saviour's table (3:05)
- Eight Seasonal Anthems − VII. Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn (3:15)
- Cathedral at night (3:05)
- Let the season lift your spirit (3:25)
- The Clod and the Pebble (1:53)
- Winter Prelude (3:10)
- Afterwards (5:52)
- Sailing to Byzantium (4:54)
- Like the touch of rain (2:55)
- Garlic and Sapphires (2:07)
- Baby Sleeping (3:20)
Reviews
“The songs and anthems of Peter Lea-Cox are eminently appealing. The cleanliness and purity of Lesley-Jane Rogers’s soprano is perfectly suited to the music she sings), while Jennie-Helen Moston accompanies with superb sensitivity. [Rogers] sustains the exposed, poignant lines of Afterwards (Hardy) stunningly. The recording is excellent, particularly when it comes to preserving the warmth of the piano. A most enjoyable disc.
” —Colin Clarke
“Peter Lea-Cox is an accomplished composer … each one of these carefully crafted songs has its own individual charm and character … deeply attractive body of music. Performances are admirable… recording quality is also very good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
” —Robert Matthew-Walker
“This is a very attractive collection of songs and anthems that deserve to be included in the repertoire. As usual from Divine Art, the booklet is beautifully produced with notes by Lesley-Jane Rogers and Peter Lea-Cox together with full texts. The recording is excellent. Lesley-Jane Rogers’ … singing is often really lovely in the quieter and more gentle passages. I do urge all those interested in English song and church anthems to hear this disc.
” —Bruce Reader
“Will appeal to listeners who enjoy the vocal music of composers such as Gerald Finzi and John Ireland, the emphasis being on a sensitive fusion of words and music. I enjoyed the ‘Collected Songs’ best of all. Lesley-Jane Rogers gives an outstanding account of these songs. The accompanist Jennie-Helen Moston makes a valuable and sympathetic contribution. The sound quality is ideal. Explore slowly and enjoy the diversity on offer here.
” —John France
“These typically English songs are solid anthems and well suited for church services
” —Mary Southwell
