This is the concluding CD in this Delius series which is the first ever complete recording of Delius’ songs for voice and piano. It includes 20 première recordings.
This volume includes all the songs which use French, German, Swedish and Danish texts, the Scandinavian ones being sung in English. The booklet contains full texts and extensive notes on each song. “…lovers of Delius’s music should snap up this disc.” (Vol.1) BBC Music Magazine
“Stone sings with meticulous care for clarity and shape; there may be no great discoveries here, but Delius admirers will want to hear them.” The Guardian, 25th January 2012 ***
“Mark Stone’s baritone pleads a strong case despite occasional stridency.” Financial Times, 28th January 2012 ***
“When virtually all of Delius's mature songs are very measured in their lyricism, it is remarkable what a wide range of expression Stone finds in bringing out the meaning of the words, not least in his high pianissimo phrases sung in a half-tone...Altogether an impressive follow-up to Stone's first volume of Delius songs” Gramophone Magazine, April 2012
“Performance and recording are both at the same level as on the previous release. Stone's baritone is a very natural-sounding instrument, at ease at both top and bottom of his range, and he has no need to push to make a big sound when required...He is helped...by the unobtrusive excellence of Barlow's accompaniments...Between them they have done Delius proud.” International Record Review, March 2012
“the languages are set idiomatically, and the best of the songs succeed in encapsulating the mood of their poems...This project has clearly been a labour of love for Mark Stone, to judge by his detailed notes...He sings strongly, revealing most character in the bass register, and always with exemplary enunciation. Stephen Barlow makes the best of the sometimes awkward piano parts...this issue completes a highly recommendable set.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2012 ****
