RSC to Release Music and Speeches from Gregory Doran's HENRY IV Parts I & II on CD, iTunes, April 17

The RSC is releasing a selection of music and speeches from Gregory Doran's productions of Henry IV parts I and II on a new CD and for download from iTunes. The recording is the second in the ongoing series which continues the ambition to capture the specially commissioned music composed for RSC productions of all Shakespeare's plays, as the Company works its way through the canon over the next six years.

The RSC commissions several new scores each year and yet, when the production is over, they are usually consigned to the archive and rarely heard again - until now

This CD, which follows on from last year's compilation of music and speeches from Doran's sell out production of Richard II, again includes music composed by BAFTA nominated Paul Englishby; but also from renowned composer Edward Gregson, who composed music for Adrian Noble's Henry IV at the RSC in 1991.

Gregson was one of Englishby's composition tutors which gives a historical connection and fascinating insight into the onward progression of musical composition for the theatre.

The CD also includes speeches from both parts of Henry IV by Sir Antony Sher (Falstaff), Alex Hassell (Prince Hal) and Jasper Britton (Henry IV), as well as the Welsh Song which appears here in versions by both Englishby and Gregson - for the same play but in productions performed decades apart.

The next CD in this series will capture music by Michael Bruce for The Two Gentlemen of Verona directed by Simon Godwin - which plays in repertoire with the two parts of Henry IV in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre during this summer and will feature music by Anthony Bernard from the 1938 Production, with songs performed by Roderick Williams

The CD is on sale and downloadable from iTunes from 17 April 2014. Copies of the CD, priced at £5.00, are available to pre order from the RSC online shop http://www.rsc.org.uk/shop/

Track List:

Music by Paul Englishby for the 2014 RSC production of Henry IV directed by Gregory Doran:

1. Urbs Beata Jerusalem (Englishby - Solo by Lewis Jones)

2. So shaken as we are.... (Speech Part I, Act I Sc i, King Henry IV - Jasper Britton)

3. Tavern Blues (Englishby)

4. Sneak's Noise: Ship Shape (Englishby)

5. I know you all .... (Speech Part I, Act I Sc ii, Prince Hal - Alex Hassell)

6. Prince Hal (Englishby)

7. Sneak's Noise: Gigue (Englishby)

8. Gwyry Dir Oeddunn (Englishby - Solo by Nia Gwynne)

9. Hal, if thou see me down.... (Speech Part I, Act V Sc i, Falstaff/Prince Hal - Antony Sher/Alex Hassell)

10. The Battle (Englishby)

11. How many thousand of my poorest subjects... (Speech Part II, Act III Sc I, King Henry IV - Jasper Britton)

12. Shallow Theme (Englishby)

13. Sneak's Noise: Robin Hood (Englishby)

14. Ah, you sweet little rogue... (Speech Part II, Act II Sc iv, Doll Tearsheet/Falstaff - Nia Gwynne/Antony Sher & Sneak's Noise: Tavern Blues (Englishby)

15. Sneak's Noise: A Cup of Wine (Englishby)

16. Glendower Theme (Englishby)

17. Sneak's Noise: England (Englishby)

18. I know thee not old man... (Speech Part II, Act V Sc v, King Henry V - Alex Hassell)

19. Coronation (Englishby)

Music by Edward Gregson for the 1991 RSC production of Henry IV directed by Adrian Noble - Main Theme

20. Main Theme (Gregson - Solo by Ed Harrisson)

21. Tavern (Gregson)

22. Os Dawfy Nghariad Yma Heno (Gregson - Solo by Anne Marie Piazza)

23. Te Deum (Coronation) (Gregson)

Henry IV Parts I and II run in repertoire at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 18 March - 6 September (Press day: 16 April 2014). Part I will be screened live in cinemas on 14 May and Part II on 18 June. They will also then be freely available in schools screenings on 6 June (Part I) and 30 June (Part II). The productions then embark on a UK tour before transferring to the Barbican Theatre from 29 November 2014 - 24 January 2015 (London press night: 11 December 2014). Further information on related events including pre and post show talks and workshops http://www.barbican.org.uk/theatre. Tickets for the Barbican Theatre www.barbican.org.uk or call 020 7638 8891.

Everyone at the Royal Shakespeare Company, from actors to technicians, milliners to musicians, plays a part in creating the world you see on stage. Our work begins its life at our Stratford workshops and theatres and we share it with audiences across the world through our touring, residencies and online activity. So, wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work that is made in Shakespeare's home town.

Shakespeare has been performed and celebrated in Stratford for centuries and the RSC has trained generations of the very best theatre makers since the Company was founded in 1961. We pioneer contemporary approaches to Shakespeare's plays, as well as staging the work of those who inspired him and the work of today's playwrights. www.rsc.org.uk

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