Fine songs for singing and (many of them) rare songs to hear. At the centre of the programme is the cycle that gives the record its name. In 1947 a young man met with a fatal accident while mountaineering; the New Zealand poet Alistair Campbell wrote of the event 'in memoriam' and Douglas Lilburn published his cycle for voice and piano in 1951. Though not announced as a premiere recording, the disc will certainly provide many listeners with their introduction to a skilful and sensitive setting of some deeply moving verses. Orr's Seven Songs from 'A Shropshire Lad' are also rarities in performance: gracefully written, reserved rather than demonstrative, growing in strength with repetition.
Ireland is represented by the most famous of his songs along with unusually vigorous partners; Bridge by his two best-known and the lovely Keats setting, Adoration; and Finzi by his masterpiece, the best of all Shakespearean cycles.
Much interest will attach to Paul Whelan's debut recital on record. He has had a busy career since winning the Lieder prize in the 1993 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, and is announced as Escamillo in the Opera-in- English series on Chandos. For the most part, his firm, sympathetic baritone records well, at its best in the quieter passages, as in Orr's Hughley Steeple; at a forte the high notes want a more vibrant ring and the low ones a little more freedom and body. He hasn't quite the way of making words live (Bryn Terfel has spoilt us for that), but neither is he dull or inexpressive. David Harper, Whelan's fellow New Zealander, is an excellent accompanist, and the record has been well produced in all respects.'