2006, Music

Songs (2006) by Frederick Delius, performed by Yvonne Kenny and Piers Lane

This somewhat arbitrary collection of songs is decent enough. It would be nicer to hear complete sets.

I can’t say that I hear enough of what I love about impressionism to really rave about it.

On the other hand it is clear that these songs mark a departure from much of what was standard at the time, and good on him for using such obscure texts.

I’d rather be listening to Debussy, but perhaps that’s selling Delius too short. (Well, I know it is.)

I do feel as though I would get a better sense of this side of the man had more than one cycle been included.

7/10

25 Songs including:

  • “Seven Songs from the Norwegian” (1890)
  • and settings of
    • Jens Peter Jacobsen from An Arabesque (1911)
    • Paul Verlaine (either from 1895 or 1911)
    • Heinrich Heine from Songs to Words by Heine (1891)
    • Ben Jonson (unknown work)
    • Robert Herrick (unknown work)
    • Percy Bysshe Shelley from Three English Songs (1891)

[I don’t have a copy of this disc so I’m not sure where all the songs are from.]

Performed by Yvonne Kenny (soprano) & Piers Lane (piano)

Recorded 15-17 May 2006 in All Saints Church, East Finchley, London

CD No: HYPERION CDA67594

Duration: 62 minutes

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