It is not yet clear that what music of the 21st century needs is a full-on revival of the English pastoral style, but that, amazingly enough, is what you get here. Composer Ian Venables even adopts the old practice of designating his works by opus numbers. Clearly, if you concur with composer Elisabeth Lutyens in designating pastoralism the "cowpat style," this set of works by Venables is not for you. But what's surprising is just how well it works. Venables borrows from several composers, particularly Gerald Finzi, but ...
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It is not yet clear that what music of the 21st century needs is a full-on revival of the English pastoral style, but that, amazingly enough, is what you get here. Composer Ian Venables even adopts the old practice of designating his works by opus numbers. Clearly, if you concur with composer Elisabeth Lutyens in designating pastoralism the "cowpat style," this set of works by Venables is not for you. But what's surprising is just how well it works. Venables borrows from several composers, particularly Gerald Finzi, but somehow his style does not come off as a mere rehash, but has an attractive glow of nostalgia. The stronger of the two large song cycles may be The Pine Boughs Past Music, for baritone and piano, Op. 39, which neatly functions as a double tribute to composer-poet Ivor Gurney, one of British music's many casualties of the First World War. Venables sets three texts by Gurney as well as one by Leonard Clark in memoriam for Gurney, and it is here that the subtle layers of his music emerge....
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Seller's Description:
Good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item and case may have light wear. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
