JOHN IRELAND and E. J. MOERAN: Choral Music (Naxos 8.573584)
The Carice Singers; David Owen Norris, piano; George Parris, Director
Renowned for his outstanding piano miniatures and solo songs, John Ireland is little known these days as a composer of partsongs. His deep understanding of choral forces brings a unique polish and artistry to the genre, his early style reflecting a deference to his masters Parry and Stanford, and deeply moving post-war masterpieces such as Twilight Night exploiting a more acerbic harmonic vocabulary. E.J. Moeran’s inclination towards introspective melancholy blends with his knowledge of Elizabethan madrigal and renaissance dance, resulting in true gems on themes of love such as While she lies sleeping. The cover photo shows the two composer’s on the Norfolk Broads.
John Ireland:
A Cradle Song
Weep you no more, sad fountains
Laughing Song
The Peaceful Western Wind
Spring, the Sweet Spring
When May is in His Prime
Cupid
Fain would I change that note
Twilight Night
These Things Shall Be
The Hills
Immortality
They Told Me, Heraclitus
Sea Fever
In Praise of Neptune
E J Moeran:
Songs of Springtime
Blue-eyed Spring
Weep you no more, sad fountains
Phyllida and Corydon
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