• Ian Venables
  • Midnight Lamentation, Op. 6 (1974)

  • Novello & Co Ltd (World)
  • Piano
  • Baritone; Piano
  • High voice
  • 3 min

Programme Note

This is the earliest of the many songs that have been written by Ian Venables, and it has been described by the composer Michael Hurd as a 'perfect setting'. The words are part of Harold Monro's poem Midnight Lamentation and Venables' setting was written when the composer was 19 years old. It is a powerful interpretation of a profoundly moving poem, and has all the fingerprints of Venables' mature style: primarily a strong melodic gift, coupled with a highly sensitive approach to word-painting. There is a simplicity in its harmonic language that allows the profundity of the poem to be balanced perfectly with the music. It is loosely strophic in form with the final stanza providing its musical climax.

Media

Midnight Lamentation, Op. 6

Discography

The Song of the Severn

The Song of the Severn
  • Label
    Signum Records
  • Catalogue Number
    SIGCD424
  • Ensemble
    Carducci Quartet
  • Soloist
    Roderick Williams, baritone; Graham.J Lloyd, piano
  • Released
    2015

On the Wings of Love

On the Wings of Love
  • Label
    NAXOS
  • Catalogue Number
    8.572514
  • Soloist
    Andrew Kennedy, tenor; Richard Hosford, clarinet; Iain Burnside, piano
  • Released
    1st September 2010

Severn and Somme

Severn and Somme
  • Label
    SOMM Recordings
  • Catalogue Number
    SOMMCD 057
  • Soloist
    Roderick Williams (baritone), Susie Allan (piano)

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