"Celebrate the rich tapestry of English song with Roderick Williams and pianist Susie Allan's debut album, 'A Birthday Garland'. This exquisite collection is a heartfelt tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams, the grand-daddy of 20th-century English song, curated by Williams himself as a fantasy birthday party concert. The album features 30 enchanting songs, spanning a diverse range of styles and moods, from the hauntingly beautiful 'The Splendour Falls' to the lively 'Under the Greenwood Tree'. Williams' velvety baritone and Allan's delicate pianism breathe new life into these timeless pieces, offering a fresh perspective on both well-known and lesser-known gems. With a running time of 1 hour and 16 minutes, this album is a testament to the enduring power of English song and a fitting tribute to one of its most influential composers. 'A Birthday Garland' is set to be released on March 15, 2024, under the SOMM Recordings label, and is a must-listen for fans of choral and vocal music alike."
2024 SOMM Recordings2024 SOMM Recordings
Tracks
The Splendour FallsRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
5 Songs: No. 3, Fortune and Her WheelCharles Wood, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Linden LeaRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Chanson écossaise, M.A 12Maurice Ravel, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
12 Schottische Volkslieder: No. 6, O sahst du den Vater?Max Bruch, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Down by the Salley GardensRebecca Clarke, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
2 Welsh Folk Songs: No. 1, Jim CroGrace Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Folk Songs from Sussex: No. 9, Roving in the DewGeorge Butterworth, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Darest Thou Now, O Soul, H. 72Gustav Holst, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Last InvocationIna Boyle, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
ReconciliationIvor Gurney, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
3 Poems by Walt Whitman: No. 2, A Clear MidnightRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Songs of Faith, Op. 97: No. 6, Joy, Shipmate, Joy!Charles Villiers Stanford, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
4 Baritone Songs, Op. 4b: No. 4, The PulleyRuth Gipps, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
5 Mystical Songs: No. 4, The CallRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
2 Poems by Seumas O'Sullivan: No. 1, The Twilight PeopleRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
5 Songs, Op. 2: No. 4, The Sorrow of LoveHerbert Howells, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
4 Shakespeare Songs: No. 2, The Wind and the RainElizabeth Maconchy, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
English Lyrics, Set 6: No. 6, Under the Greenwood TreeSir Charles Hubert Parry, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
7 Shakespeare Songs: No. 7, Take, O Take Those Lips AwayMadeleine Dring, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
3 Songs from Shakespeare: No. 2, When Icicles Hang by the WallRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Let Us Garlands Bring, Op. 18: No. 2, Who Is Silvia?Gerald Finzi, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Songs of Travel: No. 9, I Have Trod the Upward and the Downward SlopeRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
4 Last Songs: No. 4, MenelausRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Square and Candle-Lighted Boat: No. 1, Bedroom DawnSarah Cattley, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Square and Candle-Lighted Boat: No. 2, The Coast. NorfolkSarah Cattley, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Square and Candle-Lighted Boat: No. 3, Bicker's CottageSarah Cattley, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Square and Candle-Lighted Boat: No. 4, The Country BedroomSarah Cattley, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Square and Candle-Lighted Boat: No. 5, Waking in the Attic BedroomSarah Cattley, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
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