Van Mellaerts/Baillieu - Songs of Travel and Home

For his debut song disc, baritone Julien Van Mellaerts honours his heritage with a selection of New Zealand, British, and French song, recorded with pianist James Baillieu. I wanted to share where I feel connected to and explore the idea of home and identity through song. Having grown up knowing I was from many places, I feel a strong connection to the protagonist in Vaughan Williams / R. L. Stevenson�s Songs of Travel. I am lucky to call so many beautiful places home, and ultimately, that�s how we settled on the title, Songs of Travel and Home.� � Julien Van Mellaerts. This recording features Gareth Farr�s song cycle Ornithological Anecdotes, commissioned by Van Mellaerts, Baillieu and Chamber Music New Zealand. Ornithological Anecdotes sets works by New Zealand's poet laureate Bill Manhire, and is a window into the imagined lives of New Zealand�s vibrant native birds. Another highlight is Frank Bridge's Three songs for medium voice, viola and piano with fellow New Zealander Bryony Gibson-Cornish, framed by two more of Van Mellaerts�s favourite English songs: Roger Quilter's Go lovely rose and Now sleeps the crimson petal. Ravel's exquisite Chansons Made?casses and Don Quichotte a? Dulcine?e complete the recording.