European Art Song emerged primarily in Germany and Austria in the nineteenth century and soon captured the imagination of composers across Europe. English composers took a while to catch on, but when they did, the results were truly wonderful.

Today we will embark on a musical voyage through late 19th and early 20th-century England as we delve into some exquisite examples of English song cycles. Immerse yourself in the evocative notes of Elgar’s Sea Pictures, Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings, and emotionally-charged works by Finzi and Vaughan Williams. From pastoral idylls to the sound of roaring seas and from years of peace to scenes of wartime desolation, discover how these visionary composers translated poetry into compelling and haunting musical reflections, shaping the landscape of English music.