Felicity Lott brings her delicacy and rich understanding to a collection of English song inspired by the idyllic Sussex countryside.

The Englishness typified here is not derived from one unique musical style, rather from each composerʼs response to the texts. Graham Johnson groups together songs under headings Country Courtship. . . To Music. . . . Loveʼs Philosophy. . . . Country Scenes. . . . Night & Dawn. . . .Childrenʼs Cornerʼ. . . and Envoys on this charming - and occasionally surprising - disc.

It includes songs by Quilter, Elgar, Parry, Ireland, Bax and Holst. The Elgar songs Speak Music and In Moonlight (included under the heading ʻTo Musicʼ) remind us that the paradigm of Englishness Elgar cultivated was more to do with his association with ʻPomp and Circumstanceʼ than necessarily musical matters. As part of ʻCountry Scenesʼ, Bridgeʼs jolly Go Not, Happy Day gives nothing away about its year of publication, 1916, and the scars which led to later music of a more sombre tone.

Also included are a selection of Harold Fraser- Simpsonʼs songs based on verses from A A Milneʼs The Hums of Pooh, and settings by Liza Lehmann - the Edwardian English operatic soprano - including Matilda from ʻFour Cautionary Talesʼ by Hillaire Belloc, a duet with both parts taken by Felicity Lott.

The CD takes its title from Peter Warlockʼs setting of another Belloc text - My Own Country.

Dame Felicity Lott lives in Sussex and was the very first artist to perform in the Music Room at Champs Hill. In 2005 she and Graham Johnson returned there to mark the 30th anniversary of her Wigmore debut with this programme (previously release on the ASV label).

“A lovingly planned programme by Graham Johnson, beautifully sung by Dame Felicity” - Gramophone

Contents:
Hubert Parry
- O Mistress Mine

John Ireland
- The trellis

Hubert Parry
- My Heart Is Like A Singing Bird

Edward Elgar
- Songs for voice & piano, Op.41: No.2, Speak Music

Edward Elgar
- In Moonlight (Canto popolare)

Roger Quilter
- Music, When Soft Voices die for voice & piano, Op. 25/5

Roger Quilter
- Music and Moonlight

Edward Elgar
- Pleading, Op.48/1

Edward Elgar
- Song Cycle, Op.59: No.6, Twilight

Hubert Parry
- Under the greenwood tree

Frank Bridge
- Strew No More Red Roses,, H 109

Roger Quilter
- Love's Philosophy,, Op.3/1

Peter Warlock
- Ha'nacker Mill (from Belloc Songs)

Peter Warlock
- My Own Country (from Belloc Songs)

John Ireland
- I have twelve oxen
 
Roger Quilter
- Go, Lovely Rose, Op.24/3

Frank Bridge
- Go Not, Happy Day, H.34

Roger Quilter
- Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal, 3/2
 
Peter Warlock
- Sleep

Peter Warlock
- The Night (from Belloc Songs)

Arnold Bax
- The White Peace

Gustav Holst
- Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op.24, H.90: 1, Ushas

Edward Elgar
- The Starlight Express, incidental music, Op.78: The Blue-Eyes Fairy

Harold Fraser-Simson
- Missing

Harold Fraser-Simson
- Politeness

Harold Fraser-Simson
- Halfway Down

Harold Fraser-Simson
- Lines Written By A Bear Of Very Little Brain

Liza Lehmann
- Four Cautionary Tales & a Moral: Henry King

Liza Lehmann
- Four Cautionary Tales & a Moral: Matilda

John Ireland
-  When I am dead, my dearest

Hubert Parry
- Good Night