The Wagon of Life
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
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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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
