This programme offers a vivid and varied cross-section of English song, ranging from the Edwardian aesthetic of Quilter and early Vaughan Williams to the intensely expressive style of Howells and Finzi. The Purcell realisations by Britten and Tippett, meanwhile, are products of two great 20th-century composers engaging with their musical heritage. In all these different styles, Bejun Mehta shows the same verbal and vocal mastery that won such acclaim for his debut Handel recital on harmonia mundi.
HERBERT HOWELLS · King David (5'01) ROGER QUILTER · It was a lover and his lass (2'21) GURNEY IVOR · Down by the salley gardens (2'46) RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS [1872-1958] · Silent Noon (4'23) HENRY PURCELL [1659-1695] BENJAMIN BRITTEN [1913-1976] · Lord, what is man? (5'55) HENRY PURCELL [1659-1695] BENJAMIN BRITTEN [1913-1976] · Job's Curse (5'42) RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS [1872-1958] · Linden Lea (2'25) ROGER QUILTER · Come away, death (2'53) · O mistress mine (1'31) · Blow, blow, thou winter wind (2'32) GERALD FINZI [1901-1956] · At Middle-Field Gate in February (3'10) HERBERT HOWELLS · The Widow Bird (1'48) BERKELEY LENNOX · The Horseman (1'11) HERBERT HOWELLS · The Little Boy Lost (2'12) CHARLES VILLIERS STANDFORD [1852-1924] · La Belle Dame Sans Merci (6'09) RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS [1872-1958] · Bright is the ring of words (1'50) GERALD FINZI [1901-1956] · The Sigh (3'28) PETER WARLOCK [1894-1930] · Jillian of Berry (0'34) VICTOR HELY-HUTCHINSON · Set in the manner of Handel (2'20) ROGER QUILTER · Take, o take those lips away (1'25) GERALD FINZI [1901-1956] · Since we loved (1'17) ROGER QUILTER · Hey, ho, the wind and the rain (1'51) HENRY PURCELL [1659-1695] MICHAEL TIPPETT · Music for a while (3'37)
