A Review of the Composer's CD of Songs

Malcolm Hayes

Explorers of music closer to home will find interesting territory in The Songs of Ian Venables ably sung by Kevin McLean-Mair. Much of this music, like Venables' choice of poets – Clare, Hardy, Harold Monro – points to an affinity with turn-of-the century composers, notably Bridge. At the same time, there's no mistaking the emotional and technical strength in Venables' songs, besides their very real beauty – qualities which can only come from an individuality as deep as it is genuine. Can a living composer's music ring true if it sounds as much of the past 80 years or so had just not happened? It's an absorbing question. Venables' music thickens the plot.