Dreams Desires Desolation – English Song
Baritone Trevor Alexander and pianist Peter Crockford present an album celebrating English Song – art-songs by composers well and not-so-well known, and some of the best examples of what is often called the Parlour Ballad, so beloved of audiences in the early years of the 20th century.
“Dreams, Desires, Desolation was created out of our love for English Song. The album comprises a real mixture of very familiar songs, along with some relatively unknown ones, and a few which were very popular in their day but have fallen out of fashion. There are also three world premiere recordings. We believe, despite the mixture of styles, each song brings something valid to our concept.”
Track Listing
- Is my Team Ploughing? (George Butterworth) - 3:47
- Come to Me in my Dreams (Frank Bridge) - 3:37
- I Hear You Calling Me (Charles Marshall) - 3:35
- Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal (Roger Quilter) - 2:10
- Go Song of Mine (Clive Pollard) – World premiere recording - 3:34
- Do not Go my Love (Richard Hageman) - 2:58
- Silent Noon (Ralph Vaughan Williams) - 4:07
- Remembrance (Howard Keel) - 2:56
- Dream Song (Victor Hely-Hutchinson) - 2:09
- What shall I your True Love Tell? (Frank Bridge) - 4:15
- Love’s Garden of Roses (Haydn Wood) - 4:04
- Autumn (Peter Gellhorn) – World premiere recording - 2:03
- If there were Dreams to sell (John Ireland) - 2:03
- Silver (Cecil Armstrong Gibbs) - 2:52
- The cloths of heaven (Clive Pollard) – World premiere recording - 2:41
- The Sky above the Roof (Ralph Vaughan Williams) - 2:49
- Lullaby (Cyril Scott) - 2:54
- Kashmiri Song (Amy Woodforde-Finden) - 3:39
- I Arise from Dreams of Thee (Roger Quilter) - 4:41
- Journey’s End (Frank Bridge) - 3:58
- How Could I ever Know(Lucy Simon) - 3:03
Reviews
“This is a rather lovely album that we have carried on playing, long after the review was written…well worth a listen
” —Jem Condliffe
“Trevor Alexander has a pleasant, light, tenorish baritone and he has excellent diction…one appreciates that it was obviously a labour of love for the two artists involved…there are some interesting discoveries (and re-discoveries) here.
” —Philip Tasaras
“This is a generous recital of 21 songs composed by English composers…Trevor Alexander’s voice is one I can listen to without hesitation, and with much pleasure, and he is aided and abetted by the very sensitive Peter Crockford.
” —Gary Higginson
“Alexander and Crockford’s selection of songs is eclectic…I’ve been listening to this disc with a tear in my eye, and that’s a good thing.
” —Claire Seymour
“This selection of English songs is [Trevor Alexander’s] debut recording as a soloist, and is worth the wait. Alexander has a silky, tenor-like upper register…impressive control of dynamics. Peter Crockford provides empathetic accompaniments consistently enhancing mood and atmosphere.
” —Terry Blain
“The performances are well wrought. Both performers are clearly enamoured of their chosen repertoire.
” —John France
![19 September brings Gerard McChrystal & Richard Shaw's recording of Edward Cowie: Because They Have Songs! Listen to the first track today on #AppleMusicClassical and more: listn.fm/becausetheyhavesongs [in bio]](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/538972555_18288426868283342_5911419903410525110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=ClaN-8cyw04Q7kNvwGT0WXG&_nc_oc=AdnTLHka7qEoS_F5mu0vhlC2j17dobkTq2kqt9h_FJ3fgZbsAMhj0KWyMSHYxP50nao&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ShCA5PyZyv0RyVnM9mq3VA&oh=00_AfYKWYztOtA6CclHgOyr1b_JX8oTJ1ZE7jN4JXI8CpGd-A&oe=68C10E3F)
