Herald AV Publications

HAVPCD198 – Stephen Watson: O Captain! My Captain!

	Disk Title	Stephen Watson: O Captain! My Captain!
		Autumn Boughs and Symphonic Study, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
	Soloists	Jeremy Huw Williams (Baritone)
	Choir	London Philharmonic Choir and Esterházy Chamber Choir
	Conductor	David Angus
	Location	No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
	Date Recorded	March 1996
	Audio Tracks	10

The poem O Captain! My Captain! is part of a collection known as Memories of President Lincoln and, in contrast to most of Whitman’s work, has a clearly defined structure…Musically the nature of the work is symphonic with unifying motives which occur as signposts to the structure. The music reflects both the intense involvement of the sea in human affairs and its omnipotent indifference to human fortunes; the anguish of loss; the symbolism of innocence; and the consummatory release from the cares of life.

Stephen Watson was born in Chester in 1955, and began his musical training at 13 years old with violin lessons. Later, lessons in composition were coupled with considerable experience as an orchestral violinist as well as singing with and conducting choral societies in the north of England. It is not surprising, therefore, that his compositions reflect his passion for large-scale choral and orchestral sounds.