Strings in the Earth and Air – English Song
This fine recital of English song includes works by two of the most prominent composers in the genre – E J Moeran and Peter Warlock – and some fine items, first recordings, by Geoffrey Stern. Many of the songs are not otherwise easily found. The performances are fine too, by tenor Paul Martyn-West and pianist Nigel Foster. Previously available as Dunelm DRD0249.
Track Listing
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Ernest John Moeran:
- I. Six Folksongs from Norfolk - Down by the Riverside (2:29)
- II. Six Folksongs from Norfolk - The Bold Richard (2:37)
- III. Six Folksongs from Norfolk - Lonely Waters (2:34)
- IV. Six Folksongs from Norfolk - The Pressgang (2:06)
- V. Six Folksongs from Norfolk - The Shooting of his Dear (3:11)
- VI. Six Folksongs from Norfolk - The Oxford Sporting Blade (1:26)
- I. Seven Songs of James Joyce - Strings in the Earth and Air (1:56)
- II. Seven Songs of James Joyce - The Merry Green Wood (1:19)
- III. Seven Songs of James Joyce - Bright Cap (0:54)
- IV. Seven Songs of James Joyce - The Pleasant Valley (1:11)
- V. Seven Songs of James Joyce - Donny carney (1:29)
- VI. Seven Songs of James Joyce - Rain has Fallen (1:26)
- VII. Seven Songs of James Joyce - Now, o now in this brown land (3:52) Peter Warlock:
- I. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - How many miles to Babylon? (0:37)
- II. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - I won’t be my father's Jack (0:37)
- III. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - Robin and Richard (0:42)
- IV. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - O my kitten (1:03)
- V. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - Little Tommy Tucker (0:28)
- VI. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - There was an old man (0:36)
- VII. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - I had a little pony (0:29)
- VIII. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - Little Jack Jingle (0:37)
- IX. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - There was a man of Thessaly (0:47)
- X. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - Suky, you shall be my wife (1:12)
- XI. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - There was an old woman (0:44)
- XII. Candlelight: A Cycle of Nursery Jingles - Arthur o'Bower (0:44)
- Along the Stream (3:10)
- Take, o take those lips away (2:14)
- Heracleitus (3:40)
- The Fox (3:19) Geoffrey Stern:
- I. Three Wordsworth Songs - To the Cuckoo (3:32)
- II. Three Wordsworth Songs - She dwelt among the untrodden ways (2:21)
- III. Three Wordsworth Songs - To an infant (2:20)
- I. Four Songs of James Joyce - Lean out of your window (1:48)
- II. Four Songs of James Joyce - Strings in the Earth and Air (2:52)
- III. Four Songs of James Joyce - Now, o now in this brown land (4:08)
- IV. Four Songs of James Joyce - Gentle Lady (2:52)
- Legend (1:21)
Reviews
“A well balanced programme and clean, clear studio performances… sung and played with understanding care. Sadly Geoffrey Stern died in 2005… we are left with a taste for more. The CD is an appropriate memorial.
” —Patric Standford
“The Seven Songs of James Joyce are some of Moeran’s most impressive songs. Paul Martyn-West and pianist Nigel Foster perform them with keen intelligence and musical shape. They also bring a lighter, more questioning intimacy to the complex Three Songs [of Warlock]. Geoffrey Stern’s songs are attractive… finely done and well worth getting to know. This engaging recital should find a receptive audience among lovers of British song.
” —Jonathan Woolf
“The Seven Poems of James Joyce (1929) is a minor masterpiece. It is once again an ideal combination of words and music. The sound quality of the vocal line on the CD is crystal clear – although sometimes sounds a little bit distant. Paul Martyn-West has a lovely voice apt to interpreting these songs. He is well able to imbue each song with its own character. Niger Foster is a sympathetic accompanist. This is a really interesting CD… I feel that it is an essential addition to the library of anyone who loves the ‘English School of Lieder.’
” —John France
“This is a fine disc. Paul Martyn-West has a gentle voice – soft-toned, evocative and uniquely pleasantly. He has excellent enunciation, well-controlled vibrato and a deep love and knowledge of English solo song that shines through. Martyn-West is extremely good at bringing out the emotions, nuances and meanings of the texts. The disc contains a rewardingly extensive programme note by Martyn-West that is informative, interesting and well-written. The texts to all the songs are provided. This disc contains a good range of songs, from dreamy and melancholic through to dynamic and lively, thus demonstrating the versatility of the artists. Definitely a disc for lovers of English solo song.
” —Em Marshall
“The material is extremely interesting, the performances are lively and musical, and pianist Nigel Foster is superb. Paul Martyn-West … does have exemplary diction and his interpretations are quite good. Excellent music sung with affection, musicality … Therefore I recommend this disc for the music and the interpretations
” —Lynn René Bayley
“Spirited early 20th century British songs. This vocal/piano combo have their fingers on the pulse of the material.
” —Chris Spector
“All well worth hearing. With idiomatic performances and good recording, this is well worth seeking out by lovers of English song looking for something unusual.
” —Brian Wilson
“Warlock’s songs are the best of the lot… particularly delicious. Martyn-West’s voice is a classic English choir tenor… a sweet gentle voice… truly lovely,,, that is well suited to these songs. Foster is an able and responsive collaborator.
” —R Moore
