Elgar: The River

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’).