Every track (bar one) is an Albion Records world premi�re in these arrangements of Shakespeare songs by composers including Vaughan Williams and David Willcocks, recorded in St Gilbert's Church, Glasgow, in 2016 by Les Syr�nes under director Andrew Nunn with Fionnuala Ward, piano.
Sing Willow is a commemoration of William Shakespeare. Some of his finest texts are set by the best choral composers of present and recent times in a recording where every song is a world premi�re.
Les Sir�nes is a Glasgow-based female chamber choir consisting of thirty vocalists, all students and graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The choir was awarded the title of Choir of the Year in October 2012, after a final broadcast on BBC television and radio. They shared that and many other honours with their director Andrew Nunn and accompanist Fionnuala Ward, both still working with the choir on this recording. Andrew Nunn graduated with distinction from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in July 2014 with a Masters in Conducting, specialising in choral music. Fionnuala Ward holds a First Class Honours degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. At 15 she was named Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year and was subsequently requested to play for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2008.
Reviews
This is a thoroughly attractive disc in every respect. The music is delightful, for one thing. The choir is superb from start to finish and the accompanied items benefit from fine, understanding pianism on the part of Fionnuala Ward. The performers have been very well recorded indeed in what sounds to be a most sympathetic acoustic. I could listen happily to Les Sir�nes all day. --John Quinn, Musicweb International
In all, this release is a delight for the ear and for the heart and is warmly recommended. --Ronald E. Grames, Fanfare Magazine
