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Track(s) taken from CDA67290

The lark in the clear air

First line:
Dear thoughts are in my mind, and my soul soars enchanted
composer
Anonymous - traditional
Old Irish air
arranger
Phyllis Tate (1911-1987)
author of text
Sir Samuel Ferguson (1810-1886)

Sir Thomas Allen (baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano)
Recording details: January 2001
Champs Hill, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: February 2002
Total duration: 1 minutes 45 seconds

Cover artwork: Psyche Entering Cupid’s Garden (1903). John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)
Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, Lancashire / Bridgeman Images
 

Other recordings available for download

Dame Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano), Graham Johnson (piano)

Reviews

‘A persuasive case for the often sublime artistry of the humble parlour song … I found no trouble at all in listening to in continuously from start to finish. That no doubt has also much to do with the great gifts and skills of both artists’ (Gramophone)

‘Thomas Allen recalls happy evenings round the family piano and offers this well sung collection, which will strike a lost chord with many’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Done stylishly … by a great singer with a gorgeous voice’ (American Record Guide)

‘I was amazed, listening to the rich warmth of Thomas Allen's voice, just how many of these songs I knew … Popular, enduring tunes encapsulating a golden era, honestly performed by one of the great baritones of our age’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Recording and presentation are first rate … strongly recommended’ (MusicWeb International)

‘There is a warm and intimate feeling about Allen’s treatment of these songs … Malcolm Martineau’s accompaniments are exemplary’ (Opera News)

‘Our focus is on Allen’s strong, full-voiced renditions that rarely fail to ingratiate and impress … this is music for everyone’ (Classics Today)
The Irish poet and antiquary Samuel Ferguson was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He was called to the bar in 1838 and became a Queen’s Counsellor in 1859. He retired in 1867 when he was appointed deputy-keeper of Irish records, for which he was knighted in 1878. He set his words for ‘The lark in the clear air’ to the traditional Irish air ‘An Trailliur’, performed here in an arrangement by Phyllis Tate.

from notes by Andrew Lamb © 2002

Other albums featuring this work

The last rose of summer
Dame Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano), Graham Johnson (piano)
CDH55210Download only

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