Nocturnal Variations

Listen on Presto Music. Free thirty day trial. Find out more.

Ruby Hughes's singing is exceptional - light and delicate yet true. — BBC Music Magazine, July 2016 More…

Release Date: 1st Apr 2016
Catalogue No: CHRCD098
Label: Champs Hill Records
Length: 59 minutes

BBC Music Magazine

July 2016

Choral & Song Choice

This item is currently out of stock at the UK distributor. You may order it now but please be aware that it may be six weeks or more before it can be despatched.

Schubert: Nachtstück, D672 (Mayrhofer)

Work length5:42

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Schubert: Rosamunde, D797: Romance 'Der Vollmond Strahlt auf Bergeshöh'n'

Work length3:14

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Schubert: Abendstern, D806

Work length2:48

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Schubert: Die Sterne, D939 (Leitner)

Work length3:28

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Schubert: Im Abendrot, D799

Work length3:54

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Mahler: Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

Work length8:05

$1.50

$2.10

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Mahler: Um Mitternacht (Rückert-Lieder)

Work length7:04

$1.50

$2.10

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Mahler: Urlicht (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

Work length5:44

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Berg: Vier Gesänge, Op. 2

Work length8:47

$4.00

$5.60

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

I. Schalfen Schalfen nichts als schlafen

Track length3:20

$1.00

$1.40

II. Schlafend tragt man mich

Track length1:12

$1.00

$1.40

III. Nun ich der Riesen Starksten uberwand

Track length0:57

$1.00

$1.40

IV. Warm die Lufte

Track length3:18

$1.00

$1.40

Britten: This way to the tomb

Work length3:36

$2.00

$2.80

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

I. Evening

Track length1:49

$1.00

$1.40

II. Night

Track length1:47

$1.00

$1.40

Britten: Um Mitternacht

Work length4:30

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

Britten: At the mid hour of night

Work length2:50

$1.00

$1.40

Ruby Hughes, Joseph Middleton

About
Reviews
Explore

About

Soprano Ruby Hughes releases her debut solo recital disc with pianist Joseph Middleton, an anthology of night songs by Mahler, Britten, Berg and Schubert. Ruby Hughes introduces the programme:

I have always been fascinated by the various moods of night, from the astonishing drama of storms and sunsets to the tranquillity of darkness: a time for contemplation, meditation, sleep and dreams.

Night has at times evoked darker, more foreboding thoughts and philosophical questions concerning death and existence. Alone at night, the state of mind can be awestruck and frightening under the dark canopy of the universe. At other times it feels safe and calm.

These four composers (Schubert, Mahler, Berg and Britten) have been favourites of mine from a very young age. I love their melodies and modulations, their subtlety and passion as well as their genius for setting and enhancing profoundly moving words. They all composed so lyrically for the voice. Their night songs have at times an otherworldly sense of mystery, as in for example Mahler’s Urlicht, Schubert’s Im Abendrot and Abendstern, Berg’s Warm die Lüfte and Britten’s Um Mitternacht. Their songs also work brilliantly when programmed together, revealing influences such as Schubert’s on Mahler, and Schubert’s and Berg’s on Britten.

Alban Berg’s songs achieve a wonderful blend of his modernist musical language with all he inherited from the romantics (i.e. Schubert through to Mahler). Britten too has the power to combine ancient and modern influences to superb effect.

A BBC New Generation artist in 2011–2013, Ruby Hughes held a Borletti Buitoni Trust award, was shortlisted for a 2014 Royal Philharmonic society Music award, and was winner of the first prize and audience prize at the 2009 London Handel competition.

Nocturnal Variations

CD

Downloads

Contents

Download queue