"Sounds and Sweet Airs - A Shakespeare Songbook" by Carolyn Sampson, Roderick Williams, and Joseph Middleton is a captivating exploration of Shakespearean melodies, released on July 21, 2023, under the BIS label. This choral and requiem-inspired album spans 37 tracks, offering a rich tapestry of vocal performances that showcase the timeless beauty of Shakespeare's words set to music.
Carolyn Sampson's ethereal soprano voice is complemented by Roderick Williams' resonant baritone, with Joseph Middleton's nuanced piano accompaniment tying the pieces together. The album is structured like a play, divided into five acts with a prologue and epilogue, blending cheerful and somber tones, light and profound themes. From the enchanting "Full Fathom Five" to the haunting "The Willow Song," each track is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's influence on music.
With a duration of 84 minutes, this album is a comprehensive journey through some of the most beloved and lesser-known Shakespearean songs. Whether you're a classical music enthusiast or a Shakespeare aficionado, "Sounds and Sweet Airs - A Shakespeare Songbook" promises a delightful and enriching listening experience.
2023 BIS Records AB2023 BIS Records AB
Tracks
Full Fathom FiveJohn Ireland, Carolyn Sampson, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
Dirge for FideleRalph Vaughan Williams, Carolyn Sampson, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
The Lover and his LassErnest John Moeran, Carolyn Sampson, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
AriseMario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Carolyn Sampson, Joseph Middleton
You Spotted SnakesJohn Christopher Smith, Carolyn Sampson, Joseph Middleton
Three Songs for Ariel: No. 1, Come unto these Yellow SandsMichael Tippett, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
Three Songs for Ariel: No. 2, Full Fathom FiveMichael Tippett, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
Three Songs for Ariel: No. 3, Where the Bee SucksMichael Tippett, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
Under the Greenwood TreeThomas Arne, Carolyn Sampson, Joseph Middleton
Under the Greenwood TreeIvor Gurney, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
Sonnet LXXXVIIHubert Parry, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
When Daffodils Begin to PeerJohn Ireland, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
She never told her love, Hob. XXVIa/34Joseph Haydn, Carolyn Sampson, Joseph Middleton
An Silvia, D. 106Franz Schubert, Carolyn Sampson, Joseph Middleton
Ständchen (Horch, horch! die Lerch), D. 889Franz Schubert, Carolyn Sampson, Joseph Middleton
Trinklied, D. 888Franz Schubert, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
5 Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 127: No. 5, Schlusslied des NarrenRobert Schumann, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
Lied des transferierten ZettelHugo Wolf, Roderick Williams, Joseph Middleton
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