Penn House

The Art of British Song's first Salon Recital Series presented British song repertoire from the earlier 20th Century in its ‘natural’ domestic environment, thus enhancing the intimate qualities of this very special music.

Our first such series took place in Spring 2022, with recitals by James Gilchrist and Nathan Williamson in three distinctive and exclusive venues: Penn house, Buscot Park, and the Savile Club in London.

We were delighted that each recital was sold out. Guests were treated to a glass of champagne on arrival, as well as wine and canapés following the recital itself.

The programme at Penn House was beautifully designed to reflect the passing moods of different stages of the day: Morning, Noon, Afternoon, Eventide, and Nighttime. Each section was introduced by James Gilchrist, with some of the less familiar or more complex poems being read ahead of performance of their musical setting.

The full programme of works performed is as follows:

Morning - John Ireland The Lent Lily; Ivor Gurney The Fields are Full of Summer Still; Down by the Salley Gardens. Noon - Doreen Carwithen Noon; Gurney Desire in Spring; Gustav Holst The Floral Bandit. Afternoon - Gurney An Epitaph; Ireland Month's Mind (solo piano). Eventide - Rebecca Clarke The Seal Man; Herbert Howells King David; Clarke June Twilight. Nighttime - Carwithen Echo; The Ride-By-Nights; Gurney Lights Out; Ireland Epilogue