Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Geoffrey Bush's 1990 release, "A Summer Serenade, 4 Songs, A Menagerie & Farewell, Earth's Bliss." This captivating chamber music album, released under the prestigious Chandos label, is a testament to Bush's compositional prowess and his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through his music.
The album is a journey through various musical landscapes, beginning with the pastoral beauty of "A Summer Serenade," a six-movement suite that paints a vivid sonic picture of a summer's day. From the gentle "Prologue" to the lively "Scherzo" and the haunting "Dirge," each movement offers a unique glimpse into Bush's imaginative world.
The second part of the album, "4 Songs," showcases Bush's talent for setting poetry to music. The songs, inspired by texts from various poets, range from the playful "The Impatient Lover" to the poignant "Upon the loss of his Mistresses."
In "A Menagerie," Bush turns his attention to the animal kingdom, creating a delightful musical zoo. The three movements, "Tiger," "Cuckoo," and "Monkey-house," are filled with wit and charm, capturing the essence of each creature in sound.
The album concludes with "Farewell, Earth's Bliss," a six-movement suite based on poems by William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson. This final section is a meditation on mortality and the fleeting nature of life, offering a profound and moving conclusion to the album.
With a duration of just over 51 minutes, "A Summer Serenade, 4 Songs, A Menagerie & Farewell, Earth's Bliss" is a compact yet rich musical experience that is sure to captivate and inspire. Whether you're a seasoned chamber music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album is a treasure trove of musical delights that is well worth exploring.
1990 Chandos Records1990 Chandos Records
Tracks
A Summer Serenade: I. PrologueGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
A Summer Serenade: II. MadrigalGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
A Summer Serenade: III. ScherzoGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
A Summer Serenade: IV. DirgeGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
A Summer Serenade: V. AubadeGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
A Summer Serenade: VI. NocturneGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
A Summer Serenade: VII. FinaleGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Adrian Thompson, Eric Parkin, Westminster Singers
4 Songs: I. The Impatient LoverGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
4 Songs: II. Upon the loss of his MistressesGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
4 Songs: III. To ElectraGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
4 Songs: IV. Upon Julia's clothesGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
A Menagerie: I. TigerGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Westminster Singers
A Menagerie: II. CuckooGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Westminster Singers
A Menagerie: III. Monkey-houseGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Westminster Singers
Farewell, Earth's Bliss: I. Sweet day, so coolGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
Farewell, Earth's Bliss: II. O, the month of MayGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
Farewell, Earth's Bliss: III. Do not fear to put thy feetGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
Farewell, Earth's Bliss: IV. Fear no more the heat o' the sunGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
Farewell, Earth's Bliss: V. When May is in his primeGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
Farewell, Earth's Bliss: VI. Fair pledges of a fruitful treeGeoffrey Bush, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Varcoe
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