English Song

Our eighth podcast focuses on Wigmore Hall's series of English song, programmed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of one of its great exponents Ralph Vaughan Williams. 'In Sweet Music is such Art' is its title – which comes from a song in Shakespeare's Henry VIII, which describes the transforming effect of Orpheus's lute playing, and reflects on music's unique ability to soothe the troubled soul.  

After a Wigmore recital this January, Andrew Clark of the Financial Times hailed Julius Drake as "a musician whose programme-making skills and wide-ranging friendships have made him a pivotal figure in London's busy recital scene".

We'll be speaking to the series's guiding spirit Julius Drake about what to expect from the final two concerts in the series which take place in June.

Listen / Download

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Music Clips

1. Sir Thomas Allen & Malcolm Martineau – Butterworth 'The lads in their hundreds' from WHLive0002
2. Paul Agnew & Julius Drake – Gurney 'Severn Meadows' from Hyperion CDA67243, with their kind permission
3. Ian Bostridge & Julius Drake – Vaughan Williams 'Linden Lea' from EMI Classics 'The English Songbook'
4. Ian Bostridge & Julius Drake – Finzi 'The Dance continued' from EMI Classics 'The English Songbook'
5. Christopher Maltman & Julius Drake – Warlock 'The Singer' from WHLive0020