University News Last updated 02 October
Vocal Studies alumna and honorary member Penelope Appleyard has released a trio of new tracks inspired by Jane Austen’s literature in time for the author’s 250th birthday this year.
Penelope, who is now a professional singer specialising in historical chamber music, has produced the new music with pianist Jonathan Delbridge. The tracks feature on their recital programme, Sense and Musicality.
The centrepiece of the project is ‘Ode to Pity’, composed by Donna McKevitt and based on Austen’s teenage poem of the same name. The composition was influenced by the music Austen enjoyed herself, most notably folk music of Scotland and Ireland.
The song reflects but also mocks the sensibility of the Romantic era, with a focus on nature, emotion and the picturesque. It offers a rare musical setting of Austen’s poetry and is composed for performance on a square piano, close in age to the author’s own instrument.
‘Ode to Pity’ was officially released on Friday 19 September. The duo – called The Little Song Party – recently gave a special debut performance at the Jane Austen Festival at Bath Abbey.
The first of the releases, Song from Burns, was among Austen’s personal favourites and was written in her own hand in the Austen family music books. The second track, Robin Adair, is the only song mentioned by name in her novels. These have both been played on BBC Radio 3.
The Sense and Musicality recital programme is ongoing, and The Little Song Party is currently developing two follow-up programmes.
Penelope said: “It’s exciting for both music and literature to have ‘Ode to Pity’ out in the world, and a treat for me to be the first to sing it!”
You can now listen to Ode to Pity on YouTube.
Visit The Little Song Party’s website for more information.