Claire Booth's new Hoddinott CD

[Rosie55]

I think this disc is a very fine release from the British Music Society.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hoddinott-La...8113947&sr=1-2

Featuring Claire Booth (is she too young to be a National treasure for all she does for new music?), tenor Nicky Spence and pianist Andrew Matthews-Owen, it is the only disc of Hoddinott's songs and on this release we are introduced to some very fine and wholly under rated song cycles.
All in the English language, using texts by Ursula Vaughan Williams, Rossetti, WB Yeats, Welsh poets including Emyr Humphreys, these are all world premiere recordings.
It is not difficult to see why this was a Recommended Recording of the month in Gramophone earlier this year.
I would be interested to hear other listener's thoughts.
Thanks!

[pastoralguy]

I first encountered Claire Booth when she sang the role of the showgirl in John Adam's 'Death of Klinghoffer' at the Edinburgh Festival a few years ago. Since then, I've tried to hear her as often as possible although it's always 'new' music she sings. (Some of it pretty fearsome!)

[Rosie55]

I too saw that - very memorable!
Yes, she seems to sing some strange music. I have enjoyed all the Knussen she has performed, and the George Benjamin.
I think you'd enjoy the Hoddinott CD she has released, as it contains some very contemplative and lyrical songs with her.

[Rosie55]

Just got hold of this other CD featuring Claire Booth
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jerwood-Fosk...0102603&sr=8-1
I prefer the aforementioned Hoddinott disc she appears on, but Luke Bedford's music has got me very interested - original and beguiling.

[Rosie55]

Having thoroughly enjoyed Miss Booth's BBC R3 broadcast from the Purcell Room last weekend, with pianist Andrew Matthews-Owen, I thought I'd listen to her fine CD of the composer's song cycles and then went on amazon and have ordered a number of orchestral CDs by this fine composer whose versatility impresses me.
I like his mystical sound world too so here is a link to all Hoddinott available on amazon. Its well worth investigating:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...dinott&x=0&y=0

[Roehre]

Having thoroughly enjoyed Miss Booth's BBC R3 broadcast from the Purcell Room last weekend, with pianist Andrew Matthews-Owen, I thought I'd listen to her fine CD of the composer's song cycles and then went on amazon and have ordered a number of orchestral CDs by this fine composer whose versatility impresses me.
I like his mystical sound world too so here is a link to all Hoddinott available on amazon. Its well worth investigating:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...dinott&x=0&y=0

I've got all the Hoddinott CDs mentioned, and they are really worth investigating.
However, if interested in Welsh music, IMO Mathias might be the more attractive composer, but let's not forget Grace Williams (one generation older) either.

[ahinton]

Claire Booth (is she too young to be a National treasure for all she does for new music?)

No, she isn't! (although, as I implied elsewhere, she is not perhaps quite the only British contemporary music soprano who would qualify for such an accolade). That's not, of course, to suggest anything about Claire Booth's age! (and, after all, I know better than to question the age of a soprano!)...

[eighthobstruction]

My unfocussed dyslexic eyes read this thread firstly as General Booths Hottentott CD....

....carry on

[Rosie55]

Haha eighthobstruction

ahinton I quite agree and I am a big fan of Linda Hirst, Lori Lixenburg and Anna Dennis too.

I do like Mathias' music, but for me Hoddinott's has a mysticism I find so appealing. Either way, both composers should be heard more on R3, as should Grace Williams! Their operas too...somebody please programme one!

[Suffolkcoastal]

...and of course not forgetting that final member of the Welsh quartet, Daniel Jones, whose centenary is this year.