Most attractively packaged, these four CDs comprising the new survey of British songwriting are issued by NMC recordings to mark the 20th anniversary of its indispensable activities; poetically evocative photographs of the initial letters, drawn from pubs, floral clocks, blue heritage plaques, transport directions, shops, warehouses, fruit barrows, etc., spell out the salient words, and promise a rich and sparky diversity of contents amply fulfilled when one knuckles down to listen.
Vital statistics: the total of 110 items is slightly deceptive because 12 are partial arrangements, by NMC’s presiding begetter Colin Matthews, of a galliard by the eminent Jacobean, Thomas Morley (a 13th presents the entire dance in all its ceremonial majesty). So there are 96 new songs in all; no one will complain of a shortage on these well-filled discs.
Let me also declare several vital interests. Of the 96 composers 10 are ex-pupils of mine (and two ex-teachers), 33 are personal friends, 48 are known to me by acquaintance and/or repute, 15 I’d not heard of before.
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