American Record Guide

The English Poetry and Song Society was founded in 1983 and is dedicated to the pro¬motion of English Art Song through performances, recordings, and competitions for composers. English Art Song has always been a poor relation compared to its German, French, and Italian counterparts. In the words of Sir Hubert Parry, “the English prefer foreign music.” This is the fifth disc the society has sponsored; it has songs by 12 composers, 8 of whom have been prize-winners in past EPSS competitions. Included are the three cycles of the album title: 7 of William Bliss Carmen’s Sappho Songs by Ivor Gurney; 6 poems from AE Housman’s Shropshire Lad by William Carnell; and Dennis Wickens’s setting of 7 poems by the “Super-Tramp” poet WH Davies.

The singing and accompaniment are top-notch. These performers obviously under¬stand the important role of the poetry in Art Song, so their accounts of these 52 songs display emotional depth and literary understanding. While the musical interest is uneven, I particularly enjoyed the Gurney and Wickens cycles. Listeners are sure to find others of interest—there is something for everyone here.

Notes on the society, composers, performers, and texts. A lovely production.

—Robert Delcamp