Ned Rorem: Songs - On an echoing road

“Stylistically and tonally, the blend was sensational.” The Independent “The Prince Consort represents everything that is fine about young music makers in this country.” Sir Thomas Allen, Patron The dynamic Prince Consort comprises five singers and a pianist, all of whom are drawing major international attention for their solo endeavours. Brought together by their love of singing this repertoire, Anna Leese, Jennifer Johnston, Andrew Staples, Jacques Imbrailo, Tim Mead and Alisdair Hogarth are a compelling combination. Their debut album “Ned Rorem – On an echoing road” will consolidate their success and establish them as a celebrated ensemble. Ned Rorem is one of the most widely-recorded living American composers, who Time Magazine called "the world's best composer of art songs". Ned Rorem – On an echoing road features songs that are lyrical, beguiling and unaffectedly simple, intriguing, melodic and intimate. They have echoes of French, English and American song repertoires whilst being distinctively Ned Rorem. The Prince Consort will be giving the official European premiere of Ned Rorem's masterpiece song cycle 'Evidence of things not seen' at the Oxford Lieder Festival in October 2009 to coincide with the album launch. New York magazine called ‘Evidence of Things Not Seen’ "one of the musically richest, most exquisitely fashioned, most voice-friendly collections of songs I have ever heard by any American composer". The Prince Consort is fast emerging as a fresh, exciting and versatile ensemble. Their performances are characterised by wide-ranging programmes and polished presentation, which showcase different combinations of voice and piano, from solos to small groups in piano-accompanied song. The singers in the Prince Consort are each award-winning and critically acclaimed performers in their own right and create a beautifully balanced blend together. The Prince Consort received a rave review from Anna Picard in The Independent, for their 2009 Wigmore Hall debut: “...a vivid, compelling performance.” Alisdair Hogarth (piano) is the regular partner to many of his generation’s finest young artists and made his concerto debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 15. Alisdair is the regular pianist for Amici Forever, Nicky Spence, Katherine Jenkins and The Choirboys.