On 21st October 2014 I performed an afternoon song recital with James Baillieu at Champs Hill Music Room, West Sussex. The recital marked the launch of our first disc together, 'Love's Old Sweet Song.' The repertoire of songs and ballads we performed and recorded were composed between 1823 and 1945 by British composers who's lives were affected by the great war. There are works included that were composed by serving WW1 soldiers: William Denis Brown (To Gratiana Dancing and Singing) and Ivor Gurney’s haunting compositions from the trenches, Severn Meadows and By a Bierside. We also recorded Quilter’s beautiful Seven Elizabethan Songs and some passionate songs by Edward Elgar, written prior to the outbreak of WW1. The disc also features songs by Eric Coates, Alan Murray, Ivor Novello (We’ll Gather Lilacs, My Life Belongs to You) and Haydn Wood’s famous song of the First World War, Roses of Picardyconcluding with Frank Bridge’s Mary Coleridge settings (1912-1914) and Benjamin Britten’s setting of Last Rose of Summer.
“The sentiments of these pieces still resonate strongly in our lives today, never more so than when we remember them in relation to the events of the past.”
The recording of the CD took place 26-29th May 2014 and was produced, engineered and edited by Patrick Allen with executive producer Alexander Van Ingen. With thanks to all involved in making the record and recital possible, especially David and Mary Bowerman for inviting us into their home, looking after us so well and for all of their support!
