"King David" by Herbert Howells, sung by Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)

Superb British mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, accompanied by pianist Eugene Asti, sings "King David" (1919), a setting of Walter de la Mare's poem about a doleful Old Testament monarch who is made serene by the song of a nightingale. Restrained and subtle, it slowly evolves from a mood of self-pity to one of peace.
From a recital at Wigmore Hall, London, 8 March 2010. She also performed "King David" at a recital in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Centre, New York on 14 April 2011. For the New York Times review of that recital, see:
goo.gl/9qmD6
King David
King David was a sorrowful man:
No cause for his sorrow had he;
And he called for the music of a hundred harps,
To ease his melancholy.
They played till they all fell silent:
Played and play sweet did they;
But the sorrow that haunted the heart of King David
They could not charm away.
He rose; and in his garden
Walked by the moon alone,
A nightingale hidden in a cypress tree,
Jargoned on and on.
King David lifted his sad eyes
Into the dark-boughed tree
"Tell me, thou little bird that singest,
Who taught my grief to thee?"
But the bird in no-wise heeded;
And the king in the cool of the moon
Hearkened to the nightingale's sorrowfulness,
Till all his own was gone.
Photo: Julieta Cervantes, New York Times

[@fionavidalwhite]

I grew up listening to my mother singing this incomparable song, and was so pleased to finally develop the range to sing it. It is a superb example of early 20th British song. The key change in the middle will always give me the shivers.

[@ci2531]

Hi there; yes it's beautiful isn't it. The key change is actually called a "common tone modulation"

[@janewilliams8236]

Have a soft spot for this song as I sang this as a teenager .

[@elizabethfletcher6029]

Just so wonderful Sarah. I loved hearing you sing King David from Wigmore and wanted to hear you again. Such joy in these tough times. Sending love, Elizabeth

[@tillthefatlady...541]

Agree, tots, with other 4 comments. Am like little piglet in heaven listening to this - again, never thought anyone would match Dame Janet ... like other acts of genius, though, this seems to stand on the work of the others, and complement, rather than 'topping' or 'defining' - or maybe this amazing performance has gone to my head !

[@jd7x7]

I've been waiting 40 years for the definitive version of this beautiful song, and now at last. :)

[@Aarondefyinggravity]

Absolutely stunning

[@scotthouston3607]

I'm still sold on Judy Collins' version.

[@ambermorphy8621]

Simply stunning:)

[@271250cl]

Perfect. Howells never bettered this.

[@Aarondefyinggravity]

1:27 'Heart' oh my goodness :O