The Wagon of Life

Name: The Wagon of Life
SKU: 809730416828
Availability: InStock

Price range: £6.99 through £9.50

Format

CDMP3 320KbpsFLAC 16-bit/44K

Label: Diversions
Catalogue No: DDV 24168
EAN/UPC: 809730416828
Artists: Mark Rowlinson, Peter Lawson
Composers: David Forshaw, David Golightly, Geoffrey Kimpton, Joanna Treasure, John R. Williamson, Kevin George Brown, Philip Wood, Sasha Johnson Manning, Stephen Wilkinson, Stuart Scott, Thomas Pitfield
Release Date: February 2019
Genres: Vocal/Choral
Periods: 20th Century
Discs: 1
Total Playing Time: 79:01

The long and vibrant tradition of art-song in England has seen many great composers from Finzi to Vaughan Williams, Gurney to Moeran and Warlock and countless more. The small Dunelm Records label released many albums of English song in limited circulation, several of which are now again available on Diversions.

This recording was made in 2003 for the North West [England] Composers’ Association and includes songs by several of the UK’s song specialists, some of whom are far better known internationally than others. The program shows the great variety of styles produced in settings of poets from Thomas Hardy to Tennyson, Brontë and many others in these ‘Songs of Nature, Life and Love’.

Mark Rowlinson has had an international singing career for over 50 years most recently appearing as narrator in Rawsthorne’s ‘Practical Cats (Divine Art DDA 25169, 2018) as well as being a senior BBC producer. Peter Lawson is widely regarded as the best accompanist in the UK and a very worthy successor to the legendary Gerald Moore.

Track Listing

Thomas Pitfield (1903-1999):

The Wagon of Life (2:08)
By the Dee at Night (2:33)
September Lovers (1:47

Stuart Scott (b.1949):

Alderley (1:12)
Gawsworth (1:52)
Fall, Leaves, Fall (2:40)
Night Clouds (1:28)

Geoffrey Kimpton (b. 1927):

Noah (2:41)
Faintheart in a Railway Station (1:56)
The Poor Man's Pig (1:45)

Joanna Treasure (b.1961):

Tango (Do You remember?) (2:09)
I Saw the Girl (6:29)

John Ramsden Williamson (1929-2015):

The Recruit (2:57)
White in the Moon (4:06)
Think No More, Lad (1:01)

Stephen Wilkinson (b.1919):

The Sunlight on the Garden (2:36)
The Garden (1:58)

Philip Wood (b.1972):

Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal (4:42)

Sacha Johnson Manning (b.1963):

My Song shall be of Mercy and Judgment (3:16)
The Lord is King (2:46)

Kevin George Brown (b.1959):

Dying Day (4:28)
Description of Spring (2:20)

David Golightly (b.1948):

Songs of the Clifftop - I. Sea Bird (2:34)
Songs of the Clifftop - II. After the Kill (3:00)
Songs of the Clifftop - III. Puffin (2:13)

David Forshaw (b.1938):

The Owl (2:22)
Whale Song (3:21)
Horse (4:33)

Reviews

Fanfare

“
The great British song tradition is encapsulated here. Mark Rowlinson is a superb baritone, his voice honeyed and lyrical; Peter Lawson is a superb accompanist, and the whole is beautifully recorded. In short, this is a lovely collection of songs.
” —Colin Clarke

The Chronicle

“
You’ve got to like the sound of the baritone. We’ve had some similar albums recently but this is deﬁnitely a cut above.
” —Jeremy Condliffe

American Record Guide

“
This is a chance for you to explore songs that will probably be as new to you as they were to me. They are very much in the tradition of 20th Century English song; they are well crafted.
” —Robert A. Moore

British Music Society

“
The marvellously colourful piano settings often illustrate the texts with graphic emotional power, as of course does Rowlinson’s smooth expressive vocal delivery.
” —Alan Cooper

MusicWeb International

“
I was delighted to have a chance to hear this CD. It is a fascinating exploration of ‘English’ songs … This reissue will be of great interest to all those enthusiasts of song. The CD booklet is well-produced with relevant details about the composers and their music.
” —John France

New Classics

“
The program shows the great variety of styles produced in settings of poets from Thomas Hardy to Tennyson, Brontë and many others. This is a delightful album for all lovers of English Song and poetry, performed with warmth, dexterity and tenderness.
” —John Pitt