Richard Bratby

Perfect English songs in fresh new colours: Roderick Williams sings Butterworth

Plus: how the OAE is leading the way in creating scale models of mammoth romantic orchestral works

Time spent with an artist as likeable and intelligent as Roderick Williams is never wasted. Photo: Bill Lam / The Halle 
issue 27 February 2021

Another week, another online concert; and since orchestral music seems likely to be confined to screens and stereos for a while longer, one might as well try and experience something new. But not too new — I’ve pretty much had it up to here with the present. The Hallé orchestra is currently streaming a collection of Shropshire Lad songs by George Butterworth, conducted by Sir Mark Elder and sung by the baritone Roderick Williams in orchestral versions of his own creation.

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