Ireland: Sea Fever at Leeds Lieder Festival 2016

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

[@roblindsey-nassif4433]

I'm a huge fan of Roderick Williams. A superb musician.

[@danawinsor1380]

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.

[@christopherwilson7906]

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

[@MusicbyCiaran]

A superb performance from two tremendously skilled musicians, what a joy to listen to their rendition.

[@waywed]

Sheer pleasure to hear this superb rendition of a classic song.

[@TheraminTrees]

Magnificent.

[@lindamortensen7835]

Best rendition of Sea Fever ever.

[@embvl1380]

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.

[@hollyavillella554]

So very beautiful!

[@saturne46]

Quelle grande émotion passe dans ce chant. Bravo !

[@fedorastrings9117]

So beautiful

[@ahighernote]

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...

[@mauropeter7390]

Gorgeous!

[@hannessanders8574]

This song, this interpretation touches me deeply

[@alanblackwood1]

One of the finest songs in anybody's language

[@hkleehk1]

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.

[@johndrohan7659]

Sublime.

[@tonyyoung3985]

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.

[@territhomas8792]

You piqued my interest so looked it up.

[@kianasheehan2253]

Yuhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

[@user-yf1bx2eh3g]

best

[@khtlon]

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

[@sauravbasu8805]

This video becomes really interesting when you view it without sound.

[@Its_Sirmai_On_The_Beats]

😮🎭💡

[@rosariakim8741]

is this Irish folk song? Who is the composer?

[@landon6573]

John Ireland

[@rosariakim8741]

Thank you!!

[@robertfrankgill5962]

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.

[@leshill7964]

@@robertfrankgill5962 Even people who don't know Masefield's immortal words can be mesmerized by them.

[@mavisemberson8737]

John Masefield. Poet Laureate. set to music by John Ireland

[@Admiralhall2000]

better than Bryn

[@elenikiroy]

True

[@leshill7964]

@@elenikiroy Goes without saying. Superb.

[@rmcubed]

apples and oranges

[@ChristianTatonetti]

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.