Williams / Gilchrist / Tilbrook - Songs of Travel / Songs & Chamber Works - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Grace Williams (19 February 1906 - 10 February 1977) was a Welsh composer. Born in the coastal town of Barry, near Cardiff, Grace learned piano and violin and developed her musical skills early. She won the Morfydd Owen scholarship to Cardiff University in 1923 where she studied under Professor David Evans and in 1926 she proceeded to the Royal College of Music, London, where she was taught by Gordon Jacob and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Williams is regarded by many as one of Wales finest composers. She wrote two symphonies, the earlier being the first symphony ever composed by a Welsh composer, a mass, one opera, numerous other pieces for orchestras and chamber ensemble, as well as accomplished vocal works. She was also the first British woman to score a feature film, with Blue Scar in 1949. Her chamber music, recorded here for the first time, spans 40 years.

- This album continues Metier's work inrecording contemporary British musicby composers working in traditionalharmonies and a lyrical style.- Nicholas Marshall (b. 1942) has a flairfor catching the essence of poetry asshown by the several song cycles on thisdisc that also features his Concerto forRecorder and String Quartet.- Featuring the celebrated tenor JamesGilchrist, the album also turns thespotlight on John Turner, the UK'sforemost recorder player for whom Mr.Marshall has written much music, andthe four members of the ManchesterChamber Ensemble, led by RichardHowarth.

Although Vaughan Williams is best known as a symphonist and for large-scale choral works, the essence of his music can also be found in his songs, which demonstrate a peerless sensitivity to the beauty of the English language.