Endelienta Baroque have shared the professional recording of my work Nightingale for soprano, and baroque ensemble which sets Heinrich Brockes’ text – a throwback to last year’s EarthSong UK Tour. Do scroll down to read about the work’s context and background.

I hope you all enjoy this wonderful performance:

Endelienta Baroque

Helena Moore, soprano
Joel Raymond, oboe
Maxim Del Mar, violin
Jacob Garside, cello
Seb Gillot, harpsichord

About the work

Nightingale for soprano and baroque ensemble

by Alice Beckwith (2023) text by Heinrich Brockes

This is a playful, performative setting in which the singer is encouraged to take an exaggerated vocal approach to the Nightingale’s song. Brockes’ text lists the bird’s wonderfully varied sounds, and throughout the song the soprano alternates with the oboe to mimic birdcall: with a variety of rhythmic and melodic motifs at play. Listen for the sighs in the violin, and cello – when freed from the continuo line – alongside decorative flourishes across all parts. A return to the opening material brings things full circle, finishing with a joyful ‘sing!’

Nightingale (Nachtigall) by Heinrich Brockes

Chirp, sigh, laugh, sing,
Coo, moan, gurgle, ring,
Coax, lure, whistle, quiver,
Warble, throb, hiss, cluck

Is the lovely nightingale’s
Wonderfully varied sound.

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