The Prince

Ned Rorem is one of the most widely-recorded living American composers, who Time Magazine called 'the world's best composer of art songs', with over 500 songs to his name. The Prince Consort is fast emerging as a fresh, exciting and versatile ensemble. Their performances are characterised by wide-ranging programmes and polished presentation, which showcase different combinations of voice and piano, from solos to small groups in piano-accompanied song. If you want a single-disc introduction to this very fine and important composer of songs you can't do better than this disc by this fine ensemble.

The age of princes has passed, but the age of politicians is at its heights. So is Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince any less relevant? No. But it needs an update, to reflect the political realities of our times. That is the purpose of this groundbreaking manuscript—a guide to success in contemporary politics, where the democratically-elected politician has assumed the role of the classical prince.

Recorded live at Wembley Arena, London, 20/6/86. Dire Straits, Phil Collins, Big Country, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Joan Armatrading, Rod Stewart, Howard Jones, Midge Ure, Level 42.