Songs from the Chinese Poets are series of settings in six parts by Granville Bantock.Martin Clayton, Bennett Zon Music and Orientalism in the British Empire, 1780s–1940s (2007), 0754656047, page 143: "Over the next few years Bantock produced a few other Oriental works, such as a Choral Suite from the Chinese (1914) and 25 Songs from the Chinese Poets (191 8-20) with English texts by his friend Captain L. A. Cranmer Byng, ..." The English song texts were mainly supplied by Captain L. A. Cranmer Byng (1872-1945), who had also supplied the text for Choral Suite from the Chinese (1914). Launcelot Alfred Cranmer-Byng was part of the Byng baronets family and wrote various books on China.Myrrha Bantock Granville Bantock: a personal portrait (1972), p.161 "The English texts were mostly supplied by Captain L. A. Cranmer Byng. The two men, both Welsh bards, struck up a close friendship. They were often seen together at the National Eisteddfod of Wales — a distinguished pair, one in white and .."
In 1933 the first set were also arranged in the form of a four movement string quartet under the title In a Chinese Mirror. It was recorded for the first time by the Tippett Quartet in 2021.Dutton CDLX7389 (2021)
Bantock also set other English translations of Chinese poetry from Edward Powys Mathers (Five Chinese Songs) and Herbert Giles (Ten Songs from the Chinese, 1943).Myrrha Bantock Granville Bantock: a personal portrait (1972), p.191
Songs Songs from the Chinese Poets, Series I (1918) The old fisherman of the mists and waters The ghost road Under the moon The celestial weaver Return of spring Songs from the Chinese Poets, Series II (1919) The tomb of Chao-Chün A dream of spring Desolation The Island of Pines The pavilion of abounding joy Songs from the Chinese Poets, Series III From the tomb of an unknown woman Adrift The golden nenuphar Yung-Yang A feast of lanterns Songs from the Chinese Poets, Series IV Autumn across the Frontier The Kingfisher's Tower On the banks of Jo-Eh Despair The last revel Songs from the Chinese Poets, Series V The court of dreams Down the Hwai Night on the mountain The lost one Memories with the dusk return And there are tears Songs from the Chinese Poets, Series VI The King of Tang Wild geese Exile Willow flowers Dreaming at Golden Hill Galloping home
Recordings John McCormack recorded "Desolation" in Australia in 1927.
References
External links From : Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set I Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set II Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set III Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set IV Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set V Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set VI