The Poets Inspire
King’s College Chapel, Taunton TA1 3LA
Along with Elgar’s delightful Spanish Serenade, this concert offered a rare opportunity to hear Hamish MacCunn’s dramatic portrayal of Longfellow’s Wreck of the Hesperus, and Stanford’s unjustly neglected but beautiful setting of Tennyson’s The Princess. There was also an unusual chance to hear Vaughan Williams’ iconic masterpiece The Lark Ascending, inspired by George Meredith’s poem of the same name, in the original setting for violin and piano. Three instant classics from the 21st Century, including settings of Longfellow and e e cummings, completed an afternoon of fascinating music inspired by classic poetry.
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending (violin & piano)
MacCUNN The Wreck of the Hesperus
STANFORD A Cycle of Songs (from ‘The Princess’)
STEPHEN PAULUS The Day is Done
ERIC WHITACRE I will wade out
ELGAR Spanish Serenade
RICHARD DANIELPOUR As Night Falls on Barjeantane (violin & piano)
Shulah Oliver violin
Anita D'Attellis piano
Richard Laing violin/conductor
