Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Arthur Somervell's chamber music with the release of "Somervell: Maud & A Shropshire Lad." This captivating album, released on May 15, 2020, under the SOMM Recordings label, offers a rich and diverse collection of compositions that showcase Somervell's mastery of the genre.
The album is divided into two main sections, each presenting a unique narrative and musical journey. The first part, "Maud," is a cycle of 13 songs that tell the story of a young woman named Maud and her tragic love affair. Somervell's sensitive and expressive compositions beautifully capture the nuances of the story, from the initial innocence and joy to the heart-wrenching sorrow and despair.
The second part of the album, "A Shropshire Lad," is a collection of 10 songs inspired by the poetry of A.E. Housman. These songs offer a glimpse into the rural life and landscapes of Shropshire, England, and explore themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Somervell's music is both evocative and introspective, drawing the listener into a world of nostalgia and longing.
The album also includes two additional tracks, "A Kingdom by the Sea" and "Shepherd's Cradle Song," which further demonstrate Somervell's versatility and range as a composer. With a total duration of 1 hour and 2 minutes, "Somervell: Maud & A Shropshire Lad" is a rich and rewarding listening experience that is sure to delight fans of chamber music and vocal compositions.
2020 SOMM Recordings2020 SOMM Recordings
Tracks
Maud: No. 1, I Hate the Dreadful HollowArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 2, A Voice by the Cedar TreeArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 3, She Came to the Village ChurchArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 4, O Let the Solid GroundArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 5, Birds in the High Hall GardenArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 6, Maud Has a GardenArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 7, Go Not, Happy DayArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 8, I Have Led Her HomeArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 9, Come Into the Garden, MaudArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 10, The Fault Was MineArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 11, Dead, Long DeadArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 12, O That 'Twere PossibleArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Maud: No. 13, My Life Has Crept so LongArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Kingdom by the SeaArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 1, Loveliest of TreesArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 2, When I Was One-and-TwentyArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 3, There Pass the Careless PeopleArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 4, In Summer-Time on BredonArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 5, The Street Sounds to a Soldier's TreadArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 6, On the Idle Hill of SummerArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 7, White in the Moon the Long Road LiesArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 8, Think No More, LadArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 9, Into My Heart an Air That KillsArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
A Shropshire Lad: No. 10, The Lads in Their Hundreds, to Ludlow Come In for the FairArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
Shepherd's Cradle SongArthur Somervell, Roderick Williams, Susie Allan
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