Susan Gritton, The BBC Concert Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins - Her Song: Orchestral Songs and Arias (2009)

Susan Gritton’s solo recital with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins is focussed on orchestral songs by Elgar and John Ireland, varied with delightful solo items by Susan’s grandfather Eric Gritton, by John Sanders, and an aria from Parry’s opera ‘Guenever’, here orchestrated by Jeremy Dibble. This is an enchanting and pioneering survey, with ten Elgar orchestral songs ringingly presented and crowned by Susan Gritton’s affecting reading of The Sun Goeth Down from ‘The Kingdom’. This is the first time so substantial a survey of Elgar’s orchestral songs has been presented in one programme. The song by Eric Gritton, O Stay, Madonna, is a ripe example of lyrical Edwardiana and contrasts nicely with John Sanders’ atmospherically floated Evening on Severn, and Parry’s affecting but stoutly written aria for Queen Guenever facing death at the stake. In contrast there are two groups of John Ireland songs, nine in all, each especially eloquent when heard with orchestral accompaniment. They include the title song Her Song of 1925, which makes a touching lyrical foil to Elgar’s exuberance.