Time And Space: Songs By Holst And Vaughan Williams

Roderick Williams (baritone), Mary Bevan (soprano), William Vann (piano), Jack Liebeck (violin)

'Time and Space' includes fourteen world-premiere recordings: ten of works by Holst and four by Vaughan Williams. The recording alternates the two composers, beginning with an early set of six songs by Holst, followed by Vaughan Williams's rarely recorded song cycle. Along the Field for voice and violin. We contrast the two composers in settings of cradle songs (there are five lullabies on the album). A series of folk songs isfollowed by Holst's Four Songs for Voice and Violin. The album concludes with the 'contest' to set Darest Thou Now O Soul, Walt Whitman's famous poem from 'Sea Drift'. Vaughan Williams won that contest, but these first recordings enable us to make our own judgement.