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Bryn Terfel

Songs of the Sea

Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: February 2, 2024

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1 Fflat Huw Puw  
2 Drunken Sailor  
3 Codi Angor  
4 Whiskey Johnny  
5 The Fisherman's Friends - Sloop John B  
6 Me Zo Ganet E Kreiz Ar Mor  
7 Ar Lan Y Mor  
8 Santiana  
9 The Green Willow Tree  
10 Unst Boat Song  
11 The Wellerman  
12 Ye Mariners All  
13 Harbwr Corc  
14 The Fisherman's Friends - Bold Riley  
15 Mae'r Gwynt Yn Deg  
16 Irish Rover  
17 Leave Her, Johnny  
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The call of the sea and the magnetic pull of home run through Bryn Terfel’s latest album for Deutsche Grammophon, Sea Songs, set for release digitally and on CD on 2 February 2024. Sir Bryn, who is marking his 30th anniversary as a DG artist this year, is joined on Sea Songs by a storied line-up of guest artists, including Sting, singer-songwriter Eve Goodman, baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside, the Cornish singing sensations Fisherman’s Friends, and traditional Welsh folk band Calan, in a programme of romantic sea shanties, spirited sailor songs and maritime folk tunes. “These songs are numerous and with an astonishing variety of tunes, many of them exceptionally beautiful, dramatic and memorable”, says the great Welsh bass-baritone.

Sea Songs was recorded in the intimate space of Acapela Studios in Pentyrch, near the Welsh capital Cardiff. Its songs come from the coasts of Wales, England, Ireland, Shetland, Brittany and far beyond, shining a light on words and music that helped generations of sailors face fair and foul weather. The album traces the strong ties that bind together the seafaring communities of different nations and celebrates their shared musical traditions. All tracks are newly arranged by Patrick Rimes.

“I cannot begin to explain how incredibly thrilled I am to return to the shanties and folk songs of the sea,” notes Bryn Terfel. “A North Wales farmer’s son who has always been rather obsessed with the 360-mile coastline of Northern Wales – Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Nefyn, to name but a few places that were always my safe harbour away from the daily routine: fishing, swimming, boats and ropes and all things nautical with days out at sea capped off with a welcome glass of whisky or rum at close of day. The call of the sea is strong and so too is the call to the folk songs of my homeland.” 

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    Posted At: June 20, 2019

    When Richard Jones's production of Boris Godunov was first seen three years ago, it divided opinion. Now it is back with largely the same cast, which is possibly a good thing, as the singers seemed so well tailored to its psychologically probing, unhistorical take on Mussorgsky's opera. In Jones's de-mythologised staging, the opera is about peering into the soul of any conflicted ruler. The curtain goes ...

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    Posted At: March 15, 2019

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    Posted At: January 12, 2019

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  • CLASSIC fM's John Suchet counts down 2018's most unforgettable albums
    Posted At: December 21, 2018

    This year has produced some exciting debut albums, as well as releases from musicians that we haven't heard from in a few years. But which classical albums will John Suchet single out in his top 10? At No. 10, it's world-renowned bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and his first album release in five years, Dreams and Songs – a selection of well-known and traditional pieces. He steps away from the dr...

  • 4 new entries make this week's CLASSIC fM chart
    Posted At: November 11, 2018

    There's no change in the top five places of the chart this week – Andrea Bocelli's new album Sì remains on top, followed by Bryn Terfel's compilation album Dreams and Songs, and Evolution by Alexis Ffrench. Firm favourite Einaudi stays at No. 4 with Islands and Sheku Kanneh-Mason continues his chart success with Inspiration at No. 5. Víkingur Ólafsson's late...
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