Les Sirènes, Andrew Nunn, Fionnuala Ward
Release Date: 18 November 2016
Label: Albion Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5060158190300
Description
Every track (bar one) is an Albion Records world première in these arrangements of Shakespeare songs by composers including Vaughan Williams and David Willcocks, recorded in St Gilbert's Church, Glasgow, in 2016 by Les Syrènes under director Andrew Nunn with Fionnuala Ward, piano.
Sing Willow is a commemoration of William Shakespeare. Some of his finest texts are set by the best choral composers of present and recent times in a recording where every song is a world première.
Les Sirènes is a Glasgow-based female chamber choir consisting of thirty vocalists, all students and graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The choir was awarded the title of Choir of the Year in October 2012, after a final broadcast on BBC television and radio. They shared that and many other honours with their director Andrew Nunn and accompanist Fionnuala Ward, both still working with the choir on this recording. Andrew Nunn graduated with distinction from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in July 2014 with a Masters in Conducting, specialising in choral music. Fionnuala Ward holds a First Class Honours degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. At 15 she was named Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year and was subsequently requested to play for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2008.
Reviews
This is a thoroughly attractive disc in every respect. The music is delightful, for one thing. The choir is superb from start to finish and the accompanied items benefit from fine, understanding pianism on the part of Fionnuala Ward. The performers have been very well recorded indeed in what sounds to be a most sympathetic acoustic. I could listen happily to Les Sirènes all day. --John Quinn, Musicweb International
In all, this release is a delight for the ear and for the heart and is warmly recommended. --Ronald E. Grames, Fanfare Magazine
Tracklisting
Tredegar Town Band, Ross Knight, Ian Porthouse, Martyn Brabbins
Alessandro Fisher, William Vann, The Navarra Quartet
Adrian Sims & Alan Rowlands
David Briggs
Chapel Choir Of The Royal Hospital, Joshua Ryan & William Vann
Timothy West, Samuel West, Mary Bevan, Sophie Bevan, Choir Of Clare College, Cambridge, Britten Sinfonia, William Vann
Various
John Gielgud, Adrian Boult
Hans-Christoph Rademann, NDR Chor Hamburg
Chorwerk Ruhr, Florian Helgath
BachWerkVokal, Gordon Safari
Dionysos Now!
Soloists; Les Traversees Baroques; Meyer
The Gesualdo Six / Owain Park
La Compagnia del Madrigale
Cappella Pratensis, Stratton Bull, Sollazzo Ensemble
