Francis Poulenc - Songs of Love and War (2014)

Well known as wonderful entertainers, the four singers of Cantabile here share some more serious and hauntingly beautiful songs. Released in 2014, the 100th anniversary of the start of 'The Great War', this is a programme sung from the heart, inspired by the dual themes of love and of war.

The disc seeks to capture the heartfelt emotion of the time: young men sent off to the front, and those they left behind.

Featuring works from 17 composers, both a cappella songs and a number accompanied by the renowned pianist Malcolm Martineau, the disc includes amongst the 18 songs Elgar's As Torrents In Summer, Poulenc's Bleuet, Vaughan Williams' Silent Noon, Bridge's The Last Invocation, and many other achingly beautiful songs, with music by Haydn, Barley (Sweet and Low), Pearsall, Chopin, Quilter and others.