Britten wrote his Songs and Proverbs of William Blake, Op. 74 for the German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in 1965. The singer admired the 'concentration and enigmatic smile' of the settings, and Britten constructed, through alternation of proverbs with songs, and an intense contemplation on the human and the eternal, one of his greatest song cycles. By contrast Tit for Tat sees Britten revisiting youthful, light-spirited settings of the poet Walter de la Mare. The folksong arrangements are amongst his most famous, and beloved. The baritone Roderick Williams encompasses a wide repertoire, from baroque to contemporary music, in the opera house, on the concert platform and in recital. His recital appearances have taken him to London's Wigmore Hall and many European festivals. He has an extensive discography and his recordings of English song with Iain Burnside have received particular acclaim.
22 Tom Bowling and Other Song Arrangements: No. 1. Tom Bowling
23 Folk Song Arrangements, Vol. 3, British Isles: No. 6. O Waly, Waly
24 No. 7. Oliver Cromwell
25 No. 6. the Ash Grove
26 No. 1. the Salley Gardens
27 Folk Song Arrangements, Vol. 3, British Isles: No. 2. There's None to Soothe
28 Folk Song Arrangements, Vol. 1, British Isles: No. 2. Little Sir William
29 Folk Song Arrangements, Vol. 5, British Isles: No. 5. Ca' the Yowes
Britten wrote his Songs and Proverbs of William Blake, Op. 74 for the German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in 1965. The singer admired the 'concentration and enigmatic smile' of the settings, and Britten constructed, through alternation of proverbs with songs, and an intense contemplation on the human and the eternal, one of his greatest song cycles. By contrast Tit for Tat sees Britten revisiting youthful, light-spirited settings of the poet Walter de la Mare. The folksong arrangements are amongst his most famous, and beloved. The baritone Roderick Williams encompasses a wide repertoire, from baroque to contemporary music, in the opera house, on the concert platform and in recital. His recital appearances have taken him to London's Wigmore Hall and many European festivals. He has an extensive discography and his recordings of English song with Iain Burnside have received particular acclaim.
