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DCD34345-CD
£24.99
Listen. It is here is a bold declaration of intent from a compelling new voice in British song. Edward Picton-Turbervill’s music – fresh, distinctive and unapologetically approachable – draws together themes of love and mysticism in settings of poets as diverse as Hildegard of Bingen, Rilke, Selima Hill and Harold Pinter.
Fruit of a two-year burst of creative energy after the composer’s return to music, the songs balance emotional immediacy with finely crafted writing for voice and piano. Performed by some of the UK’s most exciting singers, this album announces a striking arrival: a composer writing with sincerity, stylistic clarity, and a clear belief in song’s enduring power to move, to comfort and to connect.
'The muse for this easygoing anthology of songs by British pianist/composer Edward Picton-Turbervill stems fundamentally from the rosy, melancholic lyricism of early 20th century English art song. Echoes of Quilter, Vaughan Williams and later influences filter through this charmingly expressive album. The composer, on piano, is joined variously by soprano Harriet Burns, countertenor Alexander Chance, mezzo-soprano Helen Charleston and tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas. That’s not to diminish the artistry of genuinely distinguished song cycles, among which are the (translated) Rilke settings of Poems in the Sky and the Impressionistic Two Vedic Hymns for soprano; the reverential purity of To The Old Gods for countertenor; the effusive Songs for A (for tenor) that indulge an unmistakable Britten moment; the whimsical parody (veering on Edwardian parlour song) of I Want To Be A Cow for mezzo-soprano. Picton-Turbervill offers momentary diversion with his solo piano miniatures, Seven Portraits.'
'From its haunting opening bars, this disc announces itself as something distinctive. The first track builds with gathering intensity, immediately establishing Edward Picton-Turbervill as a composer of genuine accomplishment in a genre where authenticity of voice matters above all else. Here is music that speaks directly, without artifice or apology – fresh, approachable, and unapologetically sincere(...)
Throughout, the performances combine warmth with technical polish, each singer bringing emotional intelligence to their material. The recording, in typical Delphian fashion, captures both the intimacy of the songs and the space around them, allowing Picton-Turbervill's writing its full effect.'
'Listen. It is here announces a significant compositional voice. Picton-Turbervill writes with melodic generosity and harmonic sophistication, trusting in song’s power to move and communicate directly.
This is music that deserves to be heard, and to be sung for years to come. One suspects it will be.'
Read the full review here.
Release Date: 23 January 2026
Total playing time: 1:13:35
Recorded on 9-11 January 2025 at SJE Arts, Oxford
Producer/Engineer: Paul Baxter
24-bit digital editing: Jack Davis
24-bit digital mastering: Paul Baxter
Design: Drew Padrutt
Booklet editor: Henry Howard
Session photography: Will Coates-Gibson/ Foxbrush
Collections: All Releases, Contemporary, New Releases, Song
Category: Alexander Chance, Contemporary, Edward Picton-Turbervill, Elgan Llŷr Thomas, Harriet Burns, Helen Charlston, Song
Helen Charlston and Edward Picton-Turbervill perform Edward's We have not long to love in SJE Arts, Oxford.
