Roger Marsh, long fascinated by the poems which Schoenberg set for his Pierrot Lunaire, has completed a setting of Albert Giraud’s brilliant and allusive original texts, ignored by Schoenberg commentators over the years.
Marsh’s settings use both the original French and a new English translation specially commissioned from Kay Bourlier — sometimes simultaneously — and feature solo voice, choirs, a human beatbox and a narrator in the role of the poet himself. This recording, supervised by the composer, features The Hilliard Ensemble and Red Byrd, together with vocal trio Juice, the Ebor Singers and vocalist Linda Hirst, whose work has ranged from early music with John Eliot Gardiner to contemporary performance with Electric Phoenix.
The Hilliard Ensemble
Red Byrd
Juice
Ebor Singers
Paul Gameson director
Linda Hirst
Joe Marsh narrator
AUDIOREVIEWS
'The work is supremely approachable, with expressive, often simple harmonies offset by catchy rhythms, touching on popular styles in ways which echo Messiaen and Berio.' Gramophone
'Buy and enjoy this marvellous, honest music ... a sheer feast with dreams left over. Marsh shows the greatness of Giraud’s haunting images.' Music Web
‘Many a living composer dreams about performances of their music as considered and accurate as this’ Fanfare
RECORDING CREDITS
All works were recorded between December 2005- August 2006 at National Centre for Early Music, York and Music Research Centre, University of York
Recording Engineer: JEZ WELLS
Recording Producers: JOHN POTTER & ROGER MARSH
Editing & mastering: JEZ WELLS
(P) 2007 NMC Recordings Ltd
© 2007 NMC Recordings Ltd
Catalogue number: NMC D127
Release Date: 9 April 2007