A collection of classical and popular favourites, performed by Will James & Kate James with pianist Malcolm Archer.
Will & Kate James: Over The Rainbow
£5.99 – £9.99
Description
About this release
Explore this unique collection of classical and popular favourites, performed by BBC2 Young Chorister Finalists, Will & Kate James with pianist Malcolm Archer. Includes special commissioned arrangements of ‘Angels’ and ‘Over the Rainbow’ by George Arthur.
“This is a really wonderful collection of songs that truly shows off the stunning voices of Will and Kate, brother and sister choristers!! They both sing with great musicality and feeling and the blend between their two voices is quite stunning and works so very well. At times I struggled to decide who was singing, which is a great compliment to them both. The repertoire is wide and challenging, but they rise to the challenge in every piece, singing with great understanding of each different genre. There are some delicious arrangements by producer, George Richford, and everything is beautifully accompanied by Malcolm Archer.” Simon Lole
“I was delighted when I heard that Will & Kate wanted to record my setting of the Pie Jesu on their album ‘Over the Rainbow’. Both have beautiful voices, & George Arthur’s arrangement, combining words from Duruflé’s In Paradisum, takes the piece in a new and surprising direction.” John Brunning
“I made this arrangement of O Little Town of Bethlehem for performance by the finalists at BBC Chorister of the Year a few years ago, and it’s absolutely wonderful to hear it again, sung by Will and Kate. The brother and sister duo have a purity of tone that you only hear in young voices, and this recording reminds me of the reasons that I love to work with young people. They present it beautifully, and I am thrilled that they have chosen to sing it on their debut recording. Thank you, Will and Kate.” Bob Chilcott
“It was a pleasure to arrange so many pieces especially for Will and Kate. Their voices share so many qualities whilst retaining their own individuality and this brings a particular quality to these songs. It was deeply moving to hear my new arrangement of ‘Over the Rainbow’, a song that has become so synonymous with the front-line staff and carers during this difficult year. They sing it with beauty and power.” George Arthur
“Will and Kate James are two very promising young musicians. They both have beautiful voices and on ‘Over the Rainbow’ they sing a variety of repertoire with sincerity and skill. It was a great pleasure to accompany them.” Malcolm Archer
Programme notes
Immortalised in Sydney Carter’s adaption Lord of the Dance, the original setting of Simple Gifts originated from the Shaker community of Alfred in Maine, North America. Thought to be composed in the mid-19th century by Alfred Brackett, it was transcribed by Aaron Copland and used in his Appalachian Spring ballet of 1944. This arrangement by George Arthur attempts to reconnect with the simplicity of the original setting and departs from the frenetic dance intended of the original. The voices weave an imitative thread over an accompaniment based on a single arpeggio. The right hand of the piano dances with Will and Kate as if turning around a circle at the very end. Read more
Music Credits
Artists
Composers
Production Credits
Catalogue number CR059
Engineer Ronan Phelan
Engineer Assist Michele Catri
Mastering Adaq Khan
Recording Location Master Chord Studios, London
Producer George Richford
Artist Photograph Hester Marriot
Artist Photograph Pip Eastop
Creative Director Mike Cooter
Executive Producer Adrian Green