Dive into the rich tapestry of English song with Dame Janet Baker's "The Great EMI Recordings - English Songs: Dowland, Purcell, Arne, Parry, Stanford, Walton, Britten." This extraordinary collection, released in 2013 under Warner Classics, showcases Baker's unparalleled vocal prowess and her deep connection with the English classical tradition. Spanning over two hours, the album features 44 meticulously chosen tracks that traverse the landscapes of opera, classical, and requiem genres.
From the timeless elegance of Dowland's lute songs to the dramatic intensity of Britten's compositions, Baker's interpretation brings a new depth to each piece. The album includes works by some of the most celebrated English composers, such as Purcell's "Come Ye Sons of Art" and Walton's poignant arias from "Troilus and Cressida." Her rendition of Parry's "O Mistress Mine" and Vaughan Williams' "Linden Lea" are particularly noteworthy, highlighting her ability to convey both the subtlety and the grandeur of these works.
Baker's collaboration with esteemed pianist Gerald Moore adds another layer of richness to the recordings. Their partnership shines through in every note, making this album a testament to their musical synergy. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this collection offers a profound and enriching listening experience. Janet Baker's artistry and the timeless beauty of these English songs make this album a treasure trove for any music lover.
Tracks
Dowland: The Firste Booke of Songes, 1597: No. 17, Come Again, Sweet Love doth Now InviteJohn Dowland, Janet Baker, Robert Spencer
Campion : The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayres, 1617: No. 14, Neuer loue vnlesse you canThomas Campion, Janet Baker, Robert Spencer
Campion : The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayres, 1617: No. 1, Oft have I sigh'd for him that hears me notThomas Campion, Janet Baker, Robert Spencer
Campion : The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayres, 1617: No. 7, If thou long'st so much to learnThomas Campion, Janet Baker, Robert Spencer
Campion : The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayres, 1617: No. 25, Fain would I wed a fair young manThomas Campion, Janet Baker, Robert Spencer
Purcell: Sleep, Adam, Sleep and Take Thy Rest, Z. 195Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, Martin Isepp, Ambrose Gauntlett
Purcell: Lord, What is Man, Z. 192Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, Martin Isepp, Ambrose Gauntlett
Monro, George: My lovely Celia: "My lovely Celia, heav'nly fair"George Monro, Janet Baker, Martin Isepp, Ambrose Gauntlett
Arne: Where the Bee Sucks (From Shakespeare's "The Tempest")Thomas Arne, Janet Baker, Martin Isepp, Ambrose Gauntlett, Douglas Whittaker
Lawes: Ayres and Dialogues, Book III: No. 29, A Dialogue Upon a Kisse. "Among Thy Fancies Tell Me This"Henry Lawes, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, George Malcolm, Kenneth Heath
Lawes, William: A Dialogue between Charon and Philomel: "Charon! O gentle Charon! … What voice so sweet" (Philomel, Charon)William Lawes, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, George Malcolm, Kenneth Heath
Lawes, William: A Dialogue between Daphne and Strephon: "Come, my Daphne … 'Tis Strephon calls" (Strephon, Daphne)William Lawes, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, George Malcolm, Kenneth Heath
Handel: Giù nei Tartari Regni, HWV 187William Lawes, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, George Malcolm, Kenneth Heath
Handel: Quando in calma ride il mare, HWV 191George Frideric Handel, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, George Malcolm, Kenneth Heath
Purcell: Come Ye Sons of Art, Z. 323 "Ode for Queen Mary's Birthday": No. 3, Duet. "Sound the Trumpet" (Arr. for Two Voices and Piano)Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Daniel Barenboim
Purcell: Pausanias, Z. 585: No. 2, Song. "My Dearest, My Fairest" (Arr. for Two Voices and Piano)Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Daniel Barenboim
Purcell: The Maid's Last Prayer, Z. 601: No. 2, Song. "No, Resistance Is but Vain" (Arr. for Two Voices and Piano)Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Daniel Barenboim
Purcell: King Arthur, Z. 628, Act 2: Duet. "Shepherd, Shepherd, Leave Decoying"Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Daniel Barenboim
Parry: English Lyrics, Set No. 2: No. 1, O Mistress Mine, "O mistress mine, where are you roaming?" (Allegretto)Hubert Parry, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Parry: English Lyrics, Set No. 5: No. 2, Proud Maisie, "Proud Maisie is in the wood" (Allegretto)Hubert Parry, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Stanford: La Belle dame sans merci: "O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms"Charles Villiers Stanford, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Vaughan Williams: Linden LeaRalph Vaughan Williams, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Quilter: 3 Songs, Op. 3: No. 1, Love's Philosophy, "The fountains mingle with the river" (Very quick and passionate)Roger Quilter, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Ireland: Songs Sacred and Profane: No. 4, The Salley Gardens, "Down by the Salley Gardens" (At speaking pace)John Ireland, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Gurney: The Fields Are Full of Summer StillIvor Gurney, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Warlock: Pretty Ring Time: "It was a lover and his lass"Peter Warlock, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Glanville-Hicks: Rest: "On me to rest, my bird my bird"William Busch, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Britten: Corpus Christi Carol (From A Boy Was Born, Op. 3)Benjamin Britten, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Traditional: Comin' Thro' the Rye (Children's Song, Arr. Robert Burns)Robert Burns, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Sullivan: 5 Shakespeare Songs: No. 1, Orpheus, "Orpheus with his lute made trees" (Allegro moderato)Arthur Sullivan, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Parry: English Lyrics, Set No. 2: No. 1, O Mistress Mine, "O mistress mine, where are you roaming?" (Allegretto)Hubert Parry, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Vaughan Williams: Bushes and Briars (Voice and Piano Version)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Quilter: 5 Shakespeare Songs, Set No. 2, Op. 23: III. It was a lover and his lass (Allegretto moderato)Roger Quilter, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Ireland: Songs Sacred and Profane: No. 4, The Salley Gardens, "Down by the Salley Gardens" (At speaking pace)John Ireland, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Hughes, Herbert: Irish Country Songs, Volume I: No. 7, I know where I'm goin' (Moderato)Herbert Hughes, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Bax: 5 Traditional Songs of France: III. Me soui mesocu danso, "Me suis mis en danse" (after Traditional from Quercy)Arnold Bax, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Howells: Gavotte: "Memories long in music sleeping"Herbert Howells, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Finzi: Let Us Garlands Bring, on Poems by Shakespeare, Op. 18: V. It was a lover and his lassGerald Finzi, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Traditional: Drink to Me only with Thine Eyes (Arr. Ronald Kinloch Anderson)Ronald Kinloch Anderson, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore
Britten: Spring Symphony, Op. 44, Pt. 2: VIII. Out on the Lawn I Lie in BedBenjamin Britten, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, Janet Baker, London Symphony Chorus
Walton: Troilus and Cressida, Act 2 Scene 1: "How can I sleep?" (Cressida)Christopher Hassall, William Walton, Janet Baker, Lawrence Foster, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Walton: Troilus and Cressida, Act 2 Scene 1: "At the haunted end of the day" (Cressida)Christopher Hassall, William Walton, Janet Baker, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Lawrence Foster
Walton: Troilus and Cressida, Act 3 Final Scene: "Diomede!... Father!... Pandarus!" (Cressida)Christopher Hassall, William Walton, Janet Baker, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Lawrence Foster
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