BAKER: Songs Of Courtship and Other Works - Hebrides Ensemble, Consort Of Voices

This disc affords the listener a unique opportunity to explore fascinating and uncharted waters of twentieth-century British music. The majority of works date from the 1980s and early 90s, and were written during the time the composer spent in Fortrose, on the Black Isle in northern Scotland.

Songs of Courtship were set to music by Bevan Baker in 1992 for the Black Isle Singers. The poems, written by Mao Shih in the 7th century BC, were translated from the Ancient Chinese in 1946 by Arthur Waley. John loved them and maintained that they had "a simple directness which could have been written Yesterday".

The courtship songs, richly imaginative, vary greatly in metre and in their treatment of the enigmatic oriental lyrics, some being lightfooted, some more robust, always rhythmically challenging. The 'Wedding Song' is a triumphant, rejoicing finale.

Songs of Courtship: Out in the bushlands
01:53

Songs of Courtship: In the lowlands
01:22

Songs of Courtship: Plop fall the plums
00:51

Songs of Courtship: A very handsome gentleman
01:26

Songs of Courtship: Of fair girls the loveliest
01:12

Songs of Courtship: The cock has crowed
01:10

Songs of Courtship: Shu is away
01:09

Songs of Courtship: A moon rising
01:46

Songs of Courtship: Outside the Eastern Gate
01:15

Songs of Courtship: If along the highroad
00:50

Songs of Courtship: By the willows of the Eastern Gate
01:09

Songs of Courtship: I brought my great carriage
01:26

Songs of Courtship: Wedding Song: My lord is all aglow
01:04

Duo
08:33

Suite for Piano: March
01:24

Suite for Piano: Jig
01:32

Suite for Piano: Intermezzo
01:50

Suite for Piano: Berceuse
02:24

Suite for Piano: Finale
01:17

Spring
03:11

Triptych
08:18

A Song for Kate
02:59

Eclogue
08:16

Rorate Coeli Desuper
09:51