Soprano Morag Atchison’s debut album: The Distance
Soprano Morag Atchison’s new album features songs by David Hamilton
Photo credit: Charles Brooks
Auckland soprano Morag Atchison offers a very personal recital for her solo debut album, The Distance: Songs of David Hamilton, dedicating it to her mother, who died recently. Atchison also makes a link to pandemic-induced separation from friends and family.
The album name is from the opening song, The Distance, composed by Hamilton in 2019 to words by English writer Eleanor Farjeon, who evokes exotic worlds in her poem: “I smelt the smell of the distance/And longed for another existence”.
The Distance: Songs of David Hamilton
Atoll Records
Musical beauties found throughout the album are evident at once. Atchison’s voice is warm and lovely, her clear diction closely recorded by Atoll’s skilful team. Rachel Fuller’s piano provides gently rippling accompaniment, and the flute of Luca Manghi makes easy, tender conversation with the voice. The song is shapely; an intense, fierce section near the end resolving in thoughtful conclusion.
The album paints an intimate portrait of Hamilton through this slice from his large oeuvre. One of Aotearoa’s most prolific composers, he was influential in Atchison’s career, first as music teacher at Epsom Girls’ Grammar when she began high school. An acclaimed choral director, Hamilton has always written for voices and the nicely-constructed Willow Song here dates from a 1983 production of Shakespeare’s Othello at Epsom Girls’.
Lively, jazzy Jerry Jones from the late 1980’s contrasts with these soulful songs, revealing Atchison’s theatrical skills. An experienced opera singer, she has a versatile colour range, creating creepy atmospheres in the Tennyson setting, The Silent Voices.
The album’s oldest song is Spanish-flavoured Canticle 3, intriguing with its adventurous harmonies and George Crumb-influenced explorations of instrumental and vocal timbres. This student work shows a Hamilton voice less-often heard.
Composer David Hamilton
…many popular works for voice
A programme by one composer risks sameness and it’s not entirely avoided here. Hamilton’s many international awards and frequent performances attest to the popularity of his largely tonal style and lyrical melodies. More rhythmic and harmonic audacity in accompaniment, however, might enliven compositions like his song cycle At the Lighting of the Lamps, settings of Ursula Bethell’s poems.
A lighter set, No Room at the Inn, makes a characterful ending. Moving singing from Atchison in the lullaby Mary’s Song is underlined by harmonic subtleties. The traditional Irish blessing, May the Road Rise, completes a charming and beautifully performed recital.
The Distance: Songs of David Hamilton Morag Atchison (soprano), Rachel Fuller (piano), Luca Manghi (flute). Atoll Records (purchase here).
This album review was first published in NZ Listener in the issue for 11 February 2023