Sir John Manduell was a pivotal figure in British music - as composer, teacher, BBC producer, first principal of the Northern Royal College of Music and founder of the European Opera Centre. Beloved and revered by musicians, yet someone whose name is shamefully little known outside the music profession. This album in tribute presents works by 16 composers from more than one generation, centered around settings of W.B. Yeats and principally songs with oboe, recorder, violin and cello. The music is varied, rich and wonderfully set to the texts, and yet the textures are always transparent and clear; there is nothing inherently 'difficult' for the listener. The performers are among the cream of the Music world of Northern England, and also, in the Robin Walker Nursery Rhymes (the only work not specially recorded for the album), feature the iconic veteran BBC presenter Richard Baker. Even without the Manduell connection this is a wonderfully constructed program of new chamber music.

Tracklist:

Men Improve With The Years
Sonnet
The Cold Heaven
Reflection
Yeats Interlude
Be Still
Those Images
2 Yeats Songs, Op. 23b: No. 1, Lullaby
2 Yeats Songs, Op. 23b: No. 2, Sweet Dancer
Zuzu's Petals
This Great Purple Butterfly
Strings In The Earth And Air (Version For Soprano, Recorder, Oboe, Violin & Cello)
3 Pieces For 2 Recorders: No. 1, Moderato
3 Pieces For 2 Recorders: No. 2, Minuet
3 Pieces For 2 Recorders: No. 3, Allegro
4 Nursery Rhymes To Texts By Thomas Pitfield: No. 1, The Shipwrecked Sailor
4 Nursery Rhymes To Texts By Thomas Pitfield: No. 2, Lilly Pickle
4 Nursery Rhymes To Texts By Thomas Pitfield: No. 3, Staring Moon
4 Nursery Rhymes To Texts By Thomas Pitfield: No. 4, Cat And Mouse
The Cat And The Moon
Into The Twilight
The Cloths Of Heaven (Version For Soprano, Recorder, Oboe, Viola & Cello)

UPC: 809730521027
Label: Divine Art
Release Date: 9.11.20
Format: CD

Songs For Sir John / Various - Songs for Sir John (CD)