Ian Venables’ reputation as ‘one of the finest song composers of his generation’ (BBC Music Magazine) and gift for creating works of lasting beauty finds...

Ian Venables’ reputation as ‘one of the finest song composers of his generation’ (BBC Music Magazine) and gift for creating works of lasting beauty finds voice in this disc of premiere recordings of two substantial song cycles. The Song of the Severn, a celebration of Venables’ home county of Worcestershire, and The Pine Boughs Past Music, a poignant tribute to the poetic talents of Ivor Gurney, bring together baritone, Roderick Williams, the Carducci String Quartet and pianist Graham J Lloyd. Other songs include those with solo piano and arrangements by Graham J Lloyd, for string quartet.