Lucy Cox (soprano)
Charlie Draper (ondes Martenot)
Villiers Quartet
Katie Stillman (violin 1)
Tamaki Higashi (violin 2)
Carmen Flores (viola)
Leo Melvin (cello)
Ailsa Dixon’s chamber music emerges from the shadows in this landmark recording by The Villiers Quartet, with Lucy Cox (soprano) and Charlie Draper (ondes Martenot).
From the long-lost Scherzo, discovered in an attic after more than half a century to her thoughtful song cycle The Spirit of Love, Dixon’s music combines lyrical lines, adventurous harmonies, and a spiritual undercurrent, brought to life here with vibrant intensity and finesse.
This album highlights the power of music to revive overlooked voices, offering listeners a chance to experience the beauty and musical depth of a composer finally stepping into the light.
Album Booklet (PDF)
About the Artists: Villiers Quartet
The Spirit of Love: Three songs for soprano and string quartet
1. As the harmonic to the sounding string
2. From far, from eve and morning
3. The night has a thousand eyes
4. Nocturnal Scherzo for string quartet
5. The ‘lost’ Scherzo for string quartet
6. Sohrab and Rustum for string quartet
7. Shining Cold for soprano, ondes Martenot, viola and cello
Variations on Love Divine for string quartet
8. In the Beginning was the Word
9. The Angel Gabriel visits Mary
10. The Visitation of the Holy Spirit
11. Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem
12. The Birth of Jesus: the Word made Flesh
13. The River Jordan, where Jesus is Baptised
14. The Spirit of God descending like a Dove
15. Jesus calls to his Disciples
16. Jesus’ Healing and Teaching
17. The Pharisees Plotting
18. Jesus and the Disciples on the Mount of Olives
19. The Disciples see Jesus led away
20. The Agony and the Nails
21. The Centurion: ‘Surely this was the Son of God’
22. The Disciples’ Fear and Anguish; Jesus appears to them
23. The Ascension
24. The Disciples’ Preaching
25. The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord
26. The Song of Praise and the Dance of Joy
