Songs of Muriel Herbert - Classic FM Magazine

The long-forgotten composer Muriel Herbert was the mother of author Claire Tomalin, whose introduction tells a deeply affecting story. Herbert, who studied with Charles Stanford at the time of the First World War, was a gifted musician; her vivid personal voice responds to fine poetry - Housman, Hardy, Joyce (who said that her song was better than his words) - with passion and sensitivity. But her talent was eventually crushed by domestic drudgery and the unforgiving shifts of style in the musical world. Tynan, Gilchrist and Norris bring her beautiful songs back to life with ardour and dedication. Highly recommended.