This is an album of love. But also of despair. And some things in between.

Largely conceived, arranged, rehearsed and recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic, Songs of Love & Despair contains the music that we were drawn to during this time -- a time of unprecedented stillness and solitude, traveling at most a few miles from our home for months on end. As a married couple we were fortunate to be able to play music together every day, and this collection of repertoire is half love, half longing; from the delicate beauty of Debussy and the joyousness of Boccherini, to the anguish of Messiaen and heartbreaking Appalachian folk songs, which tell the stories of love, life and loss.

The album is a testament to this time, and we welcome you to join us as we traverse the emotions that have enveloped us all.

        - Rupert Boyd (December 2021)

1.   Arabesque No. 1 [4:30]
- Claude Debussy (1862-1918) *

2.   A New York Minute [4:16]
- Marián Budoš (b. 1968) †

3.   Gretchen am Spinnrade [3:18]
- Franz Schubert (1797-1828)    (arr. N. Coste)

4.   The Deserted Garden [2:15]
- Florence Price (1887-1953) *

5.   Pray You Catch Me [4:16]
- Beyoncé (b. 1981) *

     Mountain Songs - Robert Beaser (b. 1954)
6.   Barbara Allen [3:19]
7.   The House Carpenter [2:03]
8.   He’s Gone Away [5:30]
9.   Hush You Bye [4:50]

      Sonata in A major, G. 4 - Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)
10.  Adagio (arr.  V. Dešpalj) [3:10]
11.  Allegro moderato [4:38]

12.  Blackbird                     [2:46]
- Lennon/McCartney *

13.  Eleanor Rigby [2:21]
- Lennon/McCartney (arr. S. Metcalf)

14.  Filles de l’Élysée             [5:38]
- Paul Brantley (b. 1961) †

15.  Daydreaming [5:15]
- Radiohead *

16.  Praise to the Eternity of Jesus [7:37]
- Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) (from Quartet for the End of Time)  (arr. R. Mosher)

* Arr. Boyd Meets Girl                      † World premiere recording            Total Time:   [65:52]

Total time: 65:52
Release date: March 25, 2022
UPC: 053479225528

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Quotes & Reviews

“The intimate character of Boyd Meets Girl’s new album is apparent right from the outset of the first track, their beguiling arrangement of Debussy’s Arabesque No 1. A husband-and-wife cello-and-guitar duo, their mutual understanding is manifest in every bar, not least the way they listen to each other. The intimacy comes from the album’s premise, being ‘conceived, arranged, rehearsed and recorded during the Covid 19 pandemic’, and one can easily imagine them playing these pieces for their own mutual enjoyment in their living room. …Debussy, and Florence Price’s sombre The Deserted Garden, rubbing shoulders with some surprising non-classical neighbours: Beyoncé, McCartney’s ‘Blackbird’ and Radiohead. These all work rather well (indeed, ‘Blackbird’ is enchanting), often conjuring quite different characters from the originals…. The two wholly original pieces are even more fascinating, bringing forwards composers to a wider public most likely unaware of either or the geography linking them. Paul Brantley’s Filles de l’Élysée is a delightful duet… Nice sound…” - Guy Rickards, Gramophone

“… lovely guitar work… delightful disc, full of warmth and top-notch playing.” - Terry Robbins, The Whole Note

“Metcalf's is generally the lead voice on the album—a smart move given the vocal-like character of her expression. The entire spectrum of emotional experience is communicated through her playing, and Songs of Love & Despair is all the better for it. If Boyd assumes something of a supporting role, his playing is no less impressive, and his flawless voicings provide an unerring ground for his partner. …there's something for everyone on the sixty-five-minute recording, and it's all the better for being performed so magnificently.” - Ron Schepper, Textura

“Boyd Meets Girl perform seamlessly in this new release, their communication as artists seemingly flowing from a single consciousness. …the performances themselves simply flow with articulate grace…. Highly Recommended.

Sono Luminus' Recording, Mixing & Mastering Engineer Daniel Shores has captured these performances with his usual excellence of sound engineering. Recorded in the Sono Luminus studio in Boyce, Virginia, the sound is full, resonant, and highly resolving. It simply glows. Both guitar and cello are captured fairly close, providing immense immediacy and impact. Yet the engineering pays great respect to providing a full natural acoustic surrounding the instruments. These are performances captured as if they are live, with the performers immediately in our presence and interacting with each other in real time.” - Rushton Paul, Positive Feedback