Roderick Williams baritone, Julius Drake piano Performed at the Opening Concert: Songs of the Sea Friday 1 April, Leeds Lieder Festival 2016. www.leedslieder.org.uk
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
Mr. Williams clearly has a special gift for art song. There's a great deal involved: of course one must master the music and text, but there is more to it, IMO. Mr. Williams' genius is his expressivity and his ability to "deliver" the song. There are dimensions to this art that I believe can't really be taught. It has been such a pleasure discovering this excellent artist if only recently.
I've loved this poem for decades and even wrote my own music for a setting. Only today did I learn of this rendition! I LOVE it and I love the interpretation Roderick Williams brought to it. Ahhhhhh, the last note...
I learned this poem from my first yr in QES, HK, in the mid-60's, bought the CD, this song, sung by a soprano, 2 decades later, in Mongkok, Kowloon, by chance. Prince Charles, now a grandpa, still a step too far, from QE Her Majesty's throne.
This was one of my father's favorite poems and songs. He passed away this week, and only now I notice the connection to Captain Kirk's quote from Star Trek V.
The music background resembles the opening of Teddy Bear's pick nick. And the words "and all I ask is a windy day" evokes those maritime waves of Turner. The dark and sombre background. I notice also his use of gulls and seagulls on different lines. Why I wonder ? And disappointing there was no room for the word spindrift
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
I'm a huge fan of Roderick Williams. A superb musician.
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
I held my breath for a long moment at the end - incredibly moving, and a fine example of how music can enhance the poet's work
Mr. Williams clearly has a special gift for art song. There's a great deal involved: of course one must master the music and text, but there is more to it, IMO. Mr. Williams' genius is his expressivity and his ability to "deliver" the song. There are dimensions to this art that I believe can't really be taught. It has been such a pleasure discovering this excellent artist if only recently.
A superb performance from two tremendously skilled musicians, what a joy to listen to their rendition.
A most beautiful performance from both musicians, thank you!
Also rather lovely to see the dear, late Jane Bonner page turning
I've loved this poem for decades and even wrote my own music for a setting. Only today did I learn of this rendition! I LOVE it and I love the interpretation Roderick Williams brought to it. Ahhhhhh, the last note...
Sheer pleasure to hear this superb rendition of a classic song.
Magnificent.
So very beautiful!
Quelle grande émotion passe dans ce chant. Bravo !
Best rendition of Sea Fever ever.
This song, this interpretation touches me deeply
Gorgeous!
I learned this poem from my first yr in QES, HK, in the mid-60's, bought the CD, this song, sung by a soprano, 2 decades later, in Mongkok, Kowloon, by chance. Prince Charles, now a grandpa, still a step too far, from QE Her Majesty's throne.
So beautiful
One of the finest songs in anybody's language
This was one of my father's favorite poems and songs. He passed away this week, and only now I notice the connection to Captain Kirk's quote from Star Trek V.
You piqued my interest so looked it up.
Sublime.
The music background resembles the opening of Teddy Bear's pick nick. And the words "and all I ask is a windy day" evokes those maritime waves of Turner. The dark and sombre background. I notice also his use of gulls and seagulls on different lines. Why I wonder ? And disappointing there was no room for the word spindrift
best
This video becomes really interesting when you view it without sound.
Yuhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
is this Irish folk song? Who is the composer?
John Ireland
Thank you!!
Rosaria Kim It isn't an Irish folk song. It's a setting by a composer called John Ireland of a poem by John Masefield.
@@robertfrankgill5962 Even people who don't know Masefield's immortal words can be mesmerized by them.
John Masefield. Poet Laureate. set to music by John Ireland
😮🎭💡
better than Bryn
True
@@elenikiroy Goes without saying. Superb.
apples and oranges
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.