Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37

A tribute to Elgar's 150th birthday (2007), David Owen Norris and The Works perform Elgar's songs and piano solos on Elgar's own 1844 Broadwood piano, including the world-premiere of his unpublished final song XTC, set to his own words. In all, this 2-CD set presents 32 of Elgar's finest songs for voice and piano, including a number never recorded before, and premiere recordings of Elgar's piano arrangements of the theme of the Cello Concerto, and the Prelude and Angel’s Farewell from Gerontius which, like Sea Pictures (sung here in its original soprano key) and the Woodland Interlude from Caractacus, were all composed at this piano. He even wrote these titles on its soundboard, along with his signature. These piano versions clearly remained in the forefront of Elgar’s mind and reveal his bold first thoughts before they may have been revised at the suggestion of others. The piano’s construction – keys slightly narrower than on a modern piano, the black keys set lower – illuminates Elgar’s intentions. The writing suddenly makes perfect sense, which it doesn’t always on a modern Steinway.

The cover art is H.A. Payne’s The Enchanted Sea, which was part of the inspiration for Sea Pictures.

One of this country’s finest and most popular singers, Dame Janet Baker has a special place in the hearts of music-lovers throughout the land. Since making her Covent Garden and New York debuts in 1966 she has become synonymous with a wide range of much-loved baroque and romantic repertoire. Janet Baker was made a Dame 25 years ago. Here, for the first time, EMI have gathered together some of her most memorable performances on one double CD.

Elgar’s Sea Pictures sung by a man, and a baritone, of the calibre of Roderick Williams is an eye-opening experience for all Elgarians, making one wonder why it had not been done before. Dutton Epoch’s pioneering exploration of this repertoire has to be heard, and you will surely return to Roderick’s interpretation again and again. This is a remarkable programme of orchestral song cycles in which Roderick Williams is accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates; it also features the world premiere recording of Elgar’s songs for Pageant of Empire – seven gloriously tuneful numbers in Elgar’s most expansive vein. Ivor Gurney’s Light’s Out and Michael Hurd’s Shore Leave, both haunting and evocative song cycles with the Concert Orchestra, make this an unforgettable portrait of the art of Roderick Williams. This is a worthy companion to Dutton Epoch’s earlier CD of Roderick Williams in orchestral songs (CDLX 7199 ‘Sea Fever’).