Imo – Art Song by Imogen Holst

Performed with exquisite nuance by soprano Joanna Songi and pianist Matthew Fletcher, this landmark album brings the unpublished and archived vocal compositions of Imogen Holst (1907–1984) into the light.

Best known for her pivotal roles as Co-Artistic Director of the Aldeburgh Festival and amanuensis to Benjamin Britten, Imogen Holst was also a formidable composer in her own right. Imo presents a vital survey of her song output, revealing a voice of startling economy, wit, and profound emotional depth.

Three Songs (words: Walter de la Mare) 1925*

No. 1 The Willow

No. 2 The Fool’s Song

No. 3 Exile

Four Songs (words: Tottel’s Miscellany) 1944

No. 1 Brittle Beauty

No. 2 Why Fearest Thou Thy Outward Foe

No. 3 Shall I Thus Ever Long

No. 4 As Lawrell Leaves

Ten Appalachian Folk Songs (A selection) 1938*

No. 8 The Irish Girl

No. 3 I Must and I Will Get Married                 

No. 9 The Chickens They are Crowing

No. 5 The Brisk Young Lover

No. 6 Married and Single Life

No. 2 Fair Sally

No. 7 My Dearest Dear

No. 1 The Lady and the Dragoon

*world premiere recordings

ReviewsJoanna Songi brings a finely col­oured voice and lively tex­tual engage­ment to this music, allied with flaw­less inton­a­tion... her pro­found empathy and pas­sion for this music shines throughout... Pian­ist Mat­thew Fletcher also provides beau­ti­fully traced accom­pani­ment, won­der­fully del­ic­ate in ‘There is a Lady Sweet and Kind’. ★★★ – Nata­sha Loges, BBC Music Magazine

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