When Love Speaks: Choral Music by Owain Park (2020)
Our second release, like our first, comprises settings of a predominantly secular theme. Texts by Shakespeare, Housman, Wordsworth, Blake and Teasdale ellicit charming and heartfelt music from one of the most exciting composers of his generation.
Antiphon for the Angels, Four Shakespeare Love Songs, Shakespeare Songs of Night-time, Sing to me, Windchimes, Louisa, The Tyger, Holy is the True Light
With thanks to our Crowdfunder supporters and to the RVW Trust for their financial support and to all our Friends and Benefactors.
Release date: 26 June 2020
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“It’s really difficult to choose a favourite track, but So Sweet a Kiss has to come pretty high up on the list! The shifting harmonies and shimmering colours of the music are mesmerising, and I think they perfectly reflect some of Shakespeare’s most moving poetry. Plus John Robb’s solo is gorgeous…!” – Becky, soprano
“…the final movement of Sing to me, Windchimes, Life has a loveliness to sell, sets Sara Teasdale’s poem ‘Barter’, an urgent plea to seek out the loveliness in life, no matter the cost. They’re simple words, but achingly poignant, and all the more so in the light of Teasdale’s own story. Owain Park’s setting is exquisite, perfectly capturing the moods of the text: simple beauty, ecstatic joy, and perhaps, too, a hint of desperation or regret. It’s a wonderful ending to the suite, commissioned by Louth Choral Society in memory of member Gill Fraser.” – Adrian, bass and committee member
“Louisa – is one of my favourites of the album. A setting of a poem by William Wordsworth, it transports me to a woodland stream shimmering in the dappled sunlight of a spring afternoon.” – Jess G, alto
“I could have listed them ALL as my favourite track, but one in my Top 5 for sure is the third movement from Sing to me, Windchimes – Star of the Frost. The insane amount of emotion, drama and passion packed into the short 2 minutes really moves me, and this movement (along with all of Owain’s works!) is just such a pleasure to sing” – Jess H, alto