Geoffrey Molyneux PALMER (1882-1957)
James Joyce’s Favourite Songs
Chamber Music (1907-49) [43:40]
The Joyce Book (1933) [27:48]
Martyn Hill (tenor)
Meriel Dickinson (mezzo soprano)
Peter Dickinson (piano)
rec. 1981-86
First commercial recordings
HERITAGE HTGCD175 [71:28]
I had never heard of Geoffrey Molyneux Palmer before and I guess that many readers will be in the same position. In a nutshell, Palmer was an Irish organist and composer, although he was born in Staines, Middlesex on 8 October 1882. After gaining a B. Mus at Oxford in 1901, he studied at the Royal College of Music with Charles Villiers Stanford. In 1910, Palmer moved to Ireland where he lived for the rest of his life. His musical output included several operas, a few orchestral and chamber works, some cantatas and numerous songs. For many years, Palmer was incapacitated by multiple sclerosis and spent the last years of his life confined to a wheelchair. He died 29 November 1957.
James Joyce (1882-1941) issued his collection of poems, Chamber Music in 1907: it was his first published book. There were originally 34 poems, but two more were added before publication. The language and style of these poems is far removed from the ‘experimental’ novels such as Finnegans Wake or Ulysses and are supposedly written by a lovelorn young man; they have been likened to a spiritual/romantic journey such as is presented in Schubert’s Winterreise. The text progresses from depicting an idyllic landscape to ending in disillusionment: from songs of innocence to experience.
Geoffrey Molyneux Palmer set 32 poems from the collection; the songs were composed over an exceptionally long period, from 1907 to 1949. They were never published in his lifetime, although I understand that some were performed. Joyce himself appreciated Palmer’s settings of his poems. The manuscript of Chamber Music was deemed lost but turned up in the Southern Illinois University. They were recorded by the present artists in 1986 and the entire ‘song-cycle’ was broadcast 18 months later.
Stylistically, these songs are part of the remarkable stream of ‘anglophone’ song that sprung up in the early part of the 20th century and continues to this day. They look more to Arnold Bax and John Ireland rather than the light songs and ballads that were apparently typical of the composer. It is not over egging the pudding to suggest that this is one of the great achievements of English (as in the language) song writing. I guess the only problem is the length: 44 minutes- is quite long to include in a vocal recital. Martyn Hill, tenor, and his accompanist Peter Dickinson give a remarkable performance of this music. The words are clearly heard, the singing expressive and the piano playing always supportive and balanced.
Irish composer Herbert Hughes was the progenitor of The Joyce Book. He discussed the idea with Arthur Bliss in Paris in 1929. The plan was to approach thirteen composers to write thirteen songs. The liner notes explain that there were some refusals - Milhaud was one- but eventually eight Englishmen, two Americans, a Frenchman, an Italian and Hughes himself agreed to provide the songs. Why 13? Well, this ties into the concept behind Pomes Penyeach. Joyce imagined being able to sell a ‘baker’s dozen’ of poems for a shilling (12 old pennies = 5p!). He recalled apples being sold on the bridge over the River Liffey in this manner and ‘Pomes’ reflects the French spelling of ‘apples’.
The Joyce Book was eventually published by Oxford University Press in 1933. The volume also contained a frontispiece sketch of the author by Augustus John, an editor’s note by Herbert Hughes, a prologue by fellow author James Stephens, an important essay by Padraic Colum and an ‘epilogue’ by Arthur Symons. The format of the book was designed by Hubert Foss. Only 500 copies were published; the proceeds were given to the writer but alas, there was no profit. They were priced at two guineas (£140 at today’s prices). The Joyce Book was first performed at the London Contemporary Music Centre on 16 March 1932.
The resulting song cycle is amazingly diverse in character - but that is surely the point of it. There are considerable (and obvious) differences between all these composers: there is no unity of style, which I guess makes this an interesting and rewarding collection. The songs are beautifully sung by Meriel Dickinson (mezzo soprano) and splendidly accompanied by Peter Dickinson.
The CD is well presented, with excellent liner notes and full details of the three artists. Each song is discussed from a musical and poetical perspective. All the texts are included. There is what I imagine to be a rare photograph of Geoffrey Molyneux Palmer. The 1980s recording of both ‘song cycles’ is outstanding.
This CD deserves much success with listeners who enjoy English (language) songs. Both works are rarities by any stretch of the imagination. The contrast is considerable; the stylistic cohesion and subtlety of Geoffrey Molyneux Palmer’s Chamber Music and the eclectic nature of The Joyce Book are impeccably balanced on this disc.
John France
Contents
Chamber Music
Strings in the earth and air [1:22]
The twilight turns from amethyst [1:55]
At that hour [2:40]
When the shy star [1:40]
Lean out of the window [0:35]
I would in that sweet bosom be [2:24]
My love is in a light attire [0:43]
Who goes amid the green wood [1:30]
Winds of May [0:51]
Bright cap and streamers [0:51]
Bid adieu [1:33]
Go seek her out [1:22]
My dove, my beautiful one [1:23]
From dewy dreams [1:37]
O cool is the valley [1:30]
Because your voice [1:01]
O sweetheart hear you [1:04]
Be not sad [1:05]
In the dark pinewood [1:05]
He who hath glory last [0:46]
Of that so sweet imprisonment [1:11]
This heart that flutters near my heart [1:11]
Silently she's combing [1:36]
Lightly come or lightly go [0:48]
Thou leanest to the shell of night [1:20]
Though I thy Mithridates were [1:19]
Gentle lady [1:25]
Love came to us [1:08]
O it was out by Donnycarney [1:46]
Sleep now [1:48]
All day I hear [1:01]
I hear an army [1:54]
The Joyce Book
E. J. MOERAN (1894-1950) Tilly [1:54]
Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Watching the needleboats at San Sabba [1:40]
Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) A flower given to my daughter [1:37]
Herbert HUGHES (1882-1937) She weeps over Rahoon [2:26]
John IRELAND (1879-1962) Tutto e sciolto [1:31]
Roger SESSIONS (1896-1985) On the beach at Fontana [2:02]
Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Simples [3:08]
Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Flood [1:38]
George ANTHEIL (1900-1959) Nightpiece [3:16]
Edgardo CARDUCCI (1898-1967) Alone [1:53]
Eugene GOOSSENS (1893-1962) A memory of the players in a mirror at midnight [1:32]
C. W. ORR (1893-1976) Bahnhofstrasse [2:15]
Bernard van DIEREN (1884-1936) A prayer [3:12]
Performance details
18 November 1986 (BBC broadcast 17 March 1988), St George's Brandon Hill, Bristol (Chamber Music); 7 December 1981 (broadcast 11 February 1982 & 2 November 1982), BBC Broadcasting House
