BENJAMIN HULETT

Departures

Works by Lennox Berkeley, Roger Quilter, Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams

1-5. Lennox Berkeley: Tombeaux Op. 4

6-9. Roger Quilter: Four Songs Of Mirza Schaffy Op. 2

10-12. Giles Swayne: The Joys Of Travel Op. 124

13-16. Benjamin Britten: Quatre Chanson Francaises

17-25: Ralph Vaughan Williams: Songs Of Travel

Benjamin Hulett (tenor)

Alexander Soddy (piano)

‘Departures’ showcases the impressive vocal qualities of the young British tenor Benjamin Hulett. He performs a personal selection of works by British composers – Lennox Berkeley, Roger Quilter, Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams – as well as a world premiere, a work commissioned from Giles Swayne.

Hulett makes a very powerful statement with this new album. He uses the term ‘Departures’ in several ways: the start of a journey, the CD as a new beginning for him and pianist Alexander Soddy. Another meaning is found in the theme of the composer setting texts in a language not his own – a linguistic departure. This combination of repertoire and theme is new and daring.

Hulett’s strongpoint, apart from his impressive vocal qualities, is the way he brings together the various works in an organic sounding programme. Together with pianist Alexander Soddy, with whom he has an obvious close musical relationship, he forms a remarkably harmonious and balanced duo.

Bemjamin Hulett was a soloist at the Hamburg State Opera from 2005 to 2009 where he achieved great success in lyric roles there and in Munich, Vienna, Salzburg and the UK. The British pianist and conductor Alexander Snoddy is Kapellmeister at the Hamburg State Opera and is increasingly in demand at many of Europe’s most important opera houses.

Saphrane S62611