Ardent collectors of British art songs will quickly snap up this disc, but others may find an album of song cycles on A.E. Housman's A Shropshire Lad somewhat quaint and a bit of a specialty item. The three cycles -- On Wenlock Edge by Ralph Vaughan Williams and The Western Playland and Ludlow and Teme by Ivor Gurney -- date from 1907-1909 and reflect the sentimental, sweet emotionalism of the Edwardian era. The settings for male voices, string quartet, and piano are quite precious and lush, as might be expected in works of ...
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Ardent collectors of British art songs will quickly snap up this disc, but others may find an album of song cycles on A.E. Housman's A Shropshire Lad somewhat quaint and a bit of a specialty item. The three cycles -- On Wenlock Edge by Ralph Vaughan Williams and The Western Playland and Ludlow and Teme by Ivor Gurney -- date from 1907-1909 and reflect the sentimental, sweet emotionalism of the Edwardian era. The settings for male voices, string quartet, and piano are quite precious and lush, as might be expected in works of this period. Vaughan Williams lavishes six of Housman's poems with a moody, Impressionistic atmosphere, and his conception is quite expansive and nearly symphonic in scope. In contrast, Gurney takes a more straightforward folk song approach, and his lyrical settings move rather briskly, even when slower, more pensive music might have suited the texts better. Tenor Adrian Thompson and baritone Stephen Varcoe perform these songs with dignity and gentleness; and the Delmé Quartet and...
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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.