Stanford, Charles Villiers

Preface

Stanford, Charles Villiers – Songs of the Sea, Op. 91 for baritone, male chorus & orchestra (Vocal score with English libretto)

(b. 30 September 1852, Dublin; d. 29 March 1924, London)

Drake’s Drum p.1
Outward Bound p.17
Devon, O Devon in Wind and Rain p.26
Homeward Bound p.38
The Old Superb p.52

Preface
Stanford wrote this orchestral song-cycle for the 1904 Leeds Festival. First performed on 7 October, conducted by the composer, it soon became Stanford’s best-known and beloved work among the general public. This is partly because it resonated with the way that Edwardian audiences saw themselves, much as Rudyard Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill or Rewards and Fairies did. But it was also because Britain had just emerged very bloodied from the war in South Africa, which had exposed the military weaknesses brought about by a century of colonialism – at least the Royal Navy would stand firm! (1916 and Jutland would dent that idea, too.) …

For more information about the piece read the preface to the full score:
> HERE