This first CD in a two-disc series was recorded at the wonderful Champs Hill Music Room with pianist Stephen Barlow. It includes five première recordings and features all Delius’ songs to English and Norwegian texts, the latter being sung in English translation. Delius was fascinated and heavily influenced by Norwegian culture, as is evidenced by the large number of Norwegian poems he chose to set, including the ever popular songs Twilight Fancies and Young Venevil. His English songs are equally as beautiful, although in a very different style; for each country, Delius seemed to adopt a distinct musical language.
This is a collaboration with Onyx Brass, an amazing ensemble based in London. The repertoire is a mixture of English and American including new works and arrangements of more familiar twentieth century pieces by Barber and Ives. It was made by Meridian records, and so, in line with their normal policy, was all recorded with one microphone.
This is the world première recording of Paul Carr's Requiem For An Angel. This disc was recorded in London in Summer 2010 and features the Bath Philharmonia, Chorus Angelorum and soprano Sophie Bevan conducted by the composer's brother Gavin Carr. It was the first orchestral and choral disc for Mark's own label and the first collaboration with the composer Paul Carr. The disc was selected as CD of the Week by Classic FM.
This first recording collaboration with pianist Simon Lepper, is on Mark's own label and was recorded in Suffolk in the spring of 2010. It is the first recording of the songs of Ronald Corp, one of Englands most popular contemporary composers and features his settings of Walt Whiltman, A.E. Housman, his London cycle and songs taken from his larger choral works.
This disc, with pianist Stephen Barlow, is on Mark's own label and was recorded in Sussex at the end of 2009. It features the complete songs of much-loved English song composer George Butterworth (1885-1916). In addition to the famous Housman settings, there are eleven world-première recordings and six songs that are no longer available elsewhere.
