Songs for Singing
[_ISTENING to W. Roy Hill from 2YA in a group of songs by John Dowland, one remembered that in the days of the great Elizabethan lutanist, songs were’ meant for singing. None of your pretentious . quasi-philosophical stuff, these were melodies for the voice. More than this, they were poetry (and good poetry too) to be sung. Very often the composer was his own poet, as in the case of Campion, and even if he did have to look to someone else’ for his verse the musician always worked with the poet in closest collaboration. Consequently the "ayres" of the Elizabethans are unsurpassed as pure vocal
writing. Words and music are inseparable. These are models that could be more often imitated by the contemporary song writer. This group from 2YA was a refreshing change from the ubiquitous ballad, and indeed from the lieder which are the staple fare of the more serious singer. W. Roy Hill sang them with both heart and mind.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19460418.2.29.3
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 356, 18 April 1946, Page 14
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165Songs for Singing New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 356, 18 April 1946, Page 14
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