‘Far Away’ features soprano Sarah Poole and pianist Derek Harris in an eclectic programme of 20th- and 21st-century art songs.

The album comprises an all-English programme, apart from the beautifully simple and evocative Four Songs on Poems by Sara Teasdale by American composer Eric Funk, and features music by Frank Bayford, Tony Osborne, Philip Cannon, David Heyes, Peter Lamb, Humphrey Clucas and John Alexander. Searching for Lambs (Peter Lamb) and John Barleycorn (John Alexander), both based on English folksongs, evoke a time long forgotten but in opposing and dramatic styles and Philip Cannon’s Cinq Chansons de Femme, setting old French poetry, are powerfully colourful.

An Appalachian Elegy (Frank Bayford) has a gentle melody contrasting a more imposing piano accompaniment whereas Far Away and A Spotless Rose by David Heyes have accompaniments which are spare, uncomplicated but meaningful. Sonnet for a Summer’s Day (Tony Osborne) is jazzy and lively and Evenfall (Humphrey Clucas), with words by A.E. Housman, is expressive and engaging.

Over the past 30 years Sarah Poole has collaborated with many composers, in Britain and abroad, creating a new solo repertoire for singers of today and also for the future. Sarah has a passion for new music and an interest in selecting words and texts which inspire composers to write songs which will appeal to performers and audiences alike. She has premiered a wealth of new solo songs and choral repertoire over the past few years and her passion for all styles and idioms encompasses repertoire from the 17th century to the present day.

Tracks:
1. An Appalachian Elegy
2. Sonnet for a Summer’s Day
3. The Angry Wife
4. A Girl in Love
5. The Widow
6. The Merry Wife
7. A Girl Whose Love Shines Fair
8. A Spotless Rose
9. Doubt
10. Song
11. Moon’s Ending
12. Let it be You
13. Searching For Lambs
14. Far Away
15. Evenfall
16. John Barleycorn