ROMANTICISM: Explore the late George Colerick's fascinating series of articles encroaching on the subjects of melody, romanticism, operetta and humour in music.
VIDEO PODCAST: Find out about composers from unusual places, including Gerard Schurmann, Giya Kancheli, Nazib Zhiganov and Nodar Gabunia, about singing in cars, and meet Jim Hutton from the RLPO and some of our regular contributors in this eighty-minute February 2021 video.
English poet A E Housman was born at Fockbury, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire on 26 March 1859.
As the author of the cycle of poems A Shropshire Lad, published in 1896, he was set by many twentieth century British composers, including Ivor Gurney, Arthur Somervell, Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Butterworth and E J Moeran.
Housman died in Cambridge on 30 April 1936.
Ensemble. A Neat Idea - A song recital by James Gaughan and David Hammond, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. A Versatile Composer - Music by Geoffrey Hanson, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'Performances are superb and everyone is a standout.'
CD Spotlight. Vigorously Interpreted - Butterworth, Gurney and Warlock, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... the programme embraces all that is best of English song-writing in the initial phases of the twentieth century ...'
Ensemble. Particularly Sombre - Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra commemorate The Battle of the Somme, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Meaty Stuff - Songs with orchestra by Michael Csányi-Wills, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. 'A stimulating initiation ...'
CD Spotlight. December Celebration - New American carols, heard by Keith Bramich. '... this collection of new works is interesting and different.'
CD Spotlight. Much to Enjoy - Mark Padmore sings British vocal music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... beautifully sung, recorded and presented ...'
Ensemble. Cogent Achievements - Peter Maxwell Davies' tenth symphony and other British music, heard by Roderic Dunnett
CD Spotlight. An Invaluable Recording - The complete solo songs of E J Moeran, heard by Patric Standford. '... beautifully sung ...'
CD Spotlight. Fifty Years - Celebrating Lyrita's recordings of British music, by George Balcombe. '... a meticulous reproduction of orchestral sound ...'
Ensemble. Expertly Structured - Mike Wheeler was at a song recital by Richard Roddis and Philip Robinson
Record Box. Entirely Idiomatic - Vaughan Williams from Japan, reviewed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. An Accomplished Performance - Matthew Moss sings British music, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Exquisite finesse - A song recital by Andrew Kennedy and Simon Lepper impresses Roderic Dunnett
Lasting friendships - Roderic Dunnett looks back to a glorious weekend celebrating Gerald Finzi and English Song in Ludlow with the Finzi Friends, and hopes for another next year
Record box. The masque of pastiche - Trevor Hold listens to baritone songs by John Jeffreys