Once again there was a gap of a few years in Bridge’s song output. When he returned he was to all intents and purposes a different composer. Between 1921 and 1924 he composed his Piano Sonata, written in memory of Ernest Farrar, composer and friend, killed in action in 1917. It released his true creative powers, with a radical overhaul of his harmonic approach and a much freer approach to rhythm. From now on he was to become a truly original composer and, though it led to a loss of popularity at the time, he is now being recognized as one of the most important composers of the inter-war period. During this time he wrote five more songs, only one of which is unaffected by his new understanding. This is Goldenhair, a fluent and enjoyable setting of James Joyce’s uncomplicated lyric.

from notes by Michael Pilkington © 1997