Dame Sarah has such an even voice across a wide range. A great upper range and warmth of tone. Her singing is very musical and very emotionally engaging. This is a beautiful rendering of this outstanding art song. Thank you for posting this. Beautiful.
And to think that when I knew Sarah (in the Seventies) everybody was betting on her becoming a concert pianist! She has always been a true musician, and a lovely person too.
I am not aware that Sarah Connolly has recorded "The fields are full", at least as yet, but maybe she will. She has just released a lovely CD of 20th century English Song: "My True Love Hath My Heart" on Chandos, superbly accompanied by Malcolm Martineau. It includes "Sleep" by Gurney, as well as the devastating "By a Bierside" & is getting great reviews. I was lucky enough to hear and see them perform both of those songs at a recital in NY earlier this year - unforgettable.
Come, Sleep, and with thy sweet deceiving Lock me in delight awhile; Let some pleasing dream beguile All my fancies; that from thence I may feel an influence All my powers of care bereaving Though but a shadow, but a sliding Let me know some little joy! We that suffer long annoy Are contented with a thought Through an idle fancy wrought: O let my joys have some abiding!
While it is possible to put the stress on "my" in the Warlock setting of "Sleep," I have never done so, nor do I believe it is done by Richard Lewis in his rendition, which is on You Tube and was taken from a live performance. While the sound quality is lacking in that recording, it may give you a different point of view on the issue of where the stress should be placed in that setting...
She truly is one of the best Mezzo-Soprano's out there in my opinion. Such a rich tone to the voice , without being heavy . Beautiful !
Sarah Connoly is one of my very favorite Mezzo Sopranos. Her voice is beautifully expressive, and she sings so musically! Very moving!
So poignantly beautiful. Thank you, Dame Sarah.
Dame Sarah has such an even voice across a wide range. A great upper range and warmth of tone. Her singing is very musical and very emotionally engaging. This is a beautiful rendering of this outstanding art song. Thank you for posting this. Beautiful.
Sublimely elegiac. Hauntngly beautiful -- both the composer, the snger. and the accompanist.
I love Sarah Connolly and I love Ivor Gurney - this song in particular. Thanks for posting such a glorious treat!
And to think that when I knew Sarah (in the Seventies) everybody was betting on her becoming a concert pianist! She has always been a true musician, and a lovely person too.
I love this mezzo. Discovered her through watching lots of youtube videos and I love her plummy sound :)
I am not aware that Sarah Connolly has recorded "The fields are full", at least as yet, but maybe she will. She has just released a lovely CD of 20th century English Song: "My True Love Hath My Heart" on Chandos, superbly accompanied by Malcolm Martineau. It includes "Sleep" by Gurney, as well as the devastating "By a Bierside" & is getting great reviews. I was lucky enough to hear and see them perform both of those songs at a recital in NY earlier this year - unforgettable.
Come, Sleep, and with thy sweet deceiving
Lock me in delight awhile;
Let some pleasing dream beguile
All my fancies; that from thence
I may feel an influence
All my powers of care bereaving
Though but a shadow, but a sliding
Let me know some little joy!
We that suffer long annoy
Are contented with a thought
Through an idle fancy wrought:
O let my joys have some abiding!
Lovely! Shades of Kathleen here and there!
I wouldn't call Sarah's voice plummy by a long shot. She is a mezzo, not an alto, and a wonderful singer. Long may she be.
Yes I agree Gurney wins with this setting of Sleep.
Timothy Burrell if
What a sad life this composer had. WWI really devastated this post Edwardian group of British composers.
Isn't there a note missing at the start of the piano accompaniment?
While it is possible to put the stress on "my" in the Warlock setting of "Sleep," I have never done so, nor do I believe it is done by Richard Lewis in his rendition, which is on You Tube and was taken from a live performance. While the sound quality is lacking in that recording, it may give you a different point of view on the issue of where the stress should be placed in that setting...
Who cares! She makes sense of it, and sings just beautifully, and a live performance.