Aldeburgh Festival: Songs of Illumination

This is a delightful recital of the new record from these accomplished artists. It contains world-premiere recordings of featured artist Daniel Kidane’s recent cycle Songs of Illumination and Festival legend Imogen Holst’s Four Songs.

The programme is completed by Britten’s 1953 Winter Words, one of his most moving cycles with its setting of Thomas Hardy. Its cumulative power builds to the poignant final song, A Time There Was.

Daniel Kidane says: “It is really special to go into the marshes and think of Britten and William Blake. I admire Britten and Holst’s music a lot, and it is an honour to be at their festival. And now I will be here too. Like them, my songs have lush harmonies, and all three of us composers are interested in how the voice works – so it is a good combination”.

Nick Pritchard tenor
Ian Tindale piano