James Gilchrist sings Leighton & Britten

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Gilchrist is an impressively rounded advocate. His enunciation is superb, his melodic phrasing is always wonderfully musical; he can be seductive, but at times there's an eloquent astringency... — BBC Music Magazine, December 2010, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 4th Oct 2010
Catalogue No: CKD329
Label: Linn
Length: 63 minutes

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Leighton: Earth, Sweet Earth, Op. 94

Work length40:29

$8.55

$12.85

$17.35

James Gilchrist, Anna Tilbrook
Recorded: 8-10 September 2008 / 26 November 2008
Recording Venue: Christ's Hospital, Horsham, United Kingdom

I. Prelude

Track length11:27

$2.05

$3.05

$4.05

II. Inversnaid

Track length4:57

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III. Contemplation

Track length5:08

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IV. The Ashtree

Track length2:11

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V. Binsey Poplars

Track length5:30

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VI. Hurrahing in Harvest

Track length3:24

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VII. Ribblesdale

Track length7:52

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

Britten: Winter Words, Op. 52

Work length23:06

$8.00

$12.00

$16.40

James Gilchrist, Anna Tilbrook
Recorded: 8-10 September 2008 / 26 November 2008
Recording Venue: Christ's Hospital, Horsham, United Kingdom

I. At Day-close in November

Track length1:33

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II. Midnight on the Great Western

Track length5:18

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III. Wagtail and Baby

Track length2:07

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IV. The Little Old Table

Track length1:24

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V. Choirmaster's Burial

Track length4:21

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VI. Proud Songsters

Track length1:04

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VII. At the Railway Station, Upway

Track length3:33

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VIII. Before Life and After

Track length3:46

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$1.50

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“Gilchrist's bright, ringing tenor voice is compelling from the first note, but it's the range of expression and unaffected musicality that leave the lasting impression.” BBC Music

“As an interpreter of English song, Gilchrist is often in a class by himself.” The Times

Tenor James Gilchrist adds to his widely acclaimed series of albums celebrating British song with this programme by Kenneth Leighton and Benjamin Britten. Alongside pianist Anna Tilbrook, Gilchrist excels in a programme that includes the first modern recording of Leighton’s Earth, Sweet Earth and Britten’s popular and touching song cycle Winter Words.

Leighton’s Earth, Sweet Earth was commissioned in memory of Peter Pears – tenor and life-long partner of Benjamin Britten. This is the first modern recording of this work since the original recording by Neil Mackie for whom the work was written.

Earth, Sweet Earth requires astonishing virtuosity from both vocalist and pianist; the piano taking on an almost orchestral role in settings of text by Ruskin and Hopkins.

Britten wrote Winter Words for Peter Pears. Set to eight poems by Thomas Hardy, this is the composer’s most popular song set. James Gilchrist emotively conveys one of Britten’s favourite themes: the conflict between innocence and experience.

Gilchrist has established a reputation as the leading figure in English song interpretation following countless concert performances of works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Purcell, Finzi, Warlock and Leighton.

James Gilchrist is in demand as a recitalist and chorus member and is a regular voice on BBC Radio 3 and a popular performer at the BBC Proms and UK festivals.

Pianist Anna Tilbrook (“An eloquent partner.” Daily Telegraph) displays her substantial talents as an accompanist providing flawless support to long-term performing partner James.

Reviews

December 2010

Gilchrist is an impressively rounded advocate. His enunciation is superb, his melodic phrasing is always wonderfully musical; he can be seductive, but at times there's an eloquent astringency not unlike the late Philip Langridge.

25th September 2010

Visionary and lyrical

January 2011

Gilchrist and Tilbrook are an outstandingly accomplished and sensitive modern combination...the Leighton is a great gift.

December 2010

Perhaps most impressive of all in this performance is Tilbrook's profoundly sensitive piano playing. She is a perfectly poised partner to Gilchrist's vocal intensity...Gilchrist is sufficiently his own man to put a stamp of individuality on these songs, which doesn't seek to evoke the Pears style yet still sounds totally right for this music.

23rd September 2010

[Earth, Sweet Earth is] a compelling musical span, and makes great demands on both performers; the piano writing in particular is hugely virtuosic, but Tilbrook meets its challenges superbly. Winter Words...is more familiar territory, and Gilchrist and Tilbrook judge its scale perfectly, making every detail of the musical and verbal imagery precise

26th September 2010

vividly nuanced performances by the British tenor and his regular duo partner Anna Tilbrook. Each word is clear, each pianistic colour brought out. Paired, fittingly, with Winter Words by Leighton's contemporary Benjamin Britten, this haunting disc provides a fierce elegy to our lost Eden.

Offer,James Gilchrist sings Leighton & Britten

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