The English Song Series 17

 

WILLIAM ALWYN (1905-1985)

 

Mirage: A Song Cycle for Baritone and Piano

Undine: Allegro ma non troppo

Aquarium

The Honeysuckle

Metronome

Paradise

Portrait in a mirror

 

Nocturnes for Baritone and Piano

Everything is now

Summer rain

Visitation: Andantino; Summer night; Circle; Response: Tempo comodo

World Première Recordings

 

Slum Song

 

Seascapes: Four Songs for Soprano, Treble Recorder and Piano

Dawn at sea: Andante con moto

Sea-Mist: Moderato

Song of the Drowned Man

Black Gulls: Allegretto

World Première Recordings

 

Invocations: A Song Cycle

Through the Centuries

Holding the Night

Separation

Drought

Spring Rain

Invocation to the Queen of Moonlight

Our Magic Horse: Allegro moderato

 

Elin Manahan Thomas - Soprano

Jeremy Huw Williams - Baritone

John Turner - Treble Recorder

Iain Burnside - Piano

 

William Alwyn composed prolifically in virtually all genres; orchestral, chamber, vocal and instrumental. His major works for the voice were composed during the latter part of his career, between 1965 and 1980, and include four of the song-cycles recorded here.

 

These are set to poems by the composer himself, the Irish poet Louis MacNeice, and the composer’s good friend, Michael Armstrong who lived for over 40 years in Jersey where he derived much inspiration for his poems from the sea and the surrounding landscape.

 

Seven of the songs here receive their world première recording.

 

Naxos 8570201