James Geer (tenor)
Ronald Woodley (piano)
In the years immediately leading up to the First World War the Royal College of Music in London welcomed three of the most brilliant young musicians of their generation as students: Eugene Goossens, Arthur Bliss, and Herbert Howells.
Close friends as they became, their musical personalities nevertheless evolved over the following years as notably distinct from one another. This disc brings something of their individual characteristics to the fore through a selection of their rarely performed solo songs, including four first recordings and three unpublished works.
The songs are performed by tenor James Geer and pianist Ronald Woodley in this continuation of their long-standing partnership.
Album Booklet (PDF)
About the Artists: James Geer; Ronald Woodley
Eugene Goossens (1893–1962)
Chamber Music
1. Now, O Now
2. Gentle Lady, Do Not Sing Sad Songs
3. Dear Heart, Why Will You Use Me So?
4. O Cool is the Valley Now
5. All Day I Hear the Noise of Waters
6. I Hear an Army
Arthur Bliss (1891–1975)
Three Songs
7. Thunderstorms
8. This Night
9. Leisure
10. Rich or Poor
Herbert Howells (1892–1983)
11. Here She Lies, A Pretty Bud
12. Longing*
13. O Garlands, Hanging by the Doors
Three Songs from The Joyce Book
Eugene Goossens
14. A Memory of the Players in a Mirror at Midnight
Arthur Bliss
15. Simples
Herbert Howells
16. Flood
Eugene Goossens
Four Songs
17. Threshold
18. A Winter-Night Idyll
19. A Woodland Dell
20. Seascape
Arthur Bliss
Three Romantic Songs
21. The Hare
22. Lovelocks
23. The Buckle
24. Sailing or Flying?*
25. Tulips*
Herbert Howells
26. The Widow Bird (Four Songs, Op. 22, No. 3)
27. The Little Boy Lost
28. The Lady Caroline (Lovelocks)
29. Lethe*
Eugene Goossens
30. When Thou Art Dead
