Name: The Lark in the Clear Air by Peter and Helen Ness
Duration: 2 min 55 s
Description: A cherished traditional Irish folk song whose origins can be traced to the mid-19th century. The hauntingly beautiful melody comes from County Derry in Northern Ireland, while the poignant lyrics were penned by Sir Samuel Ferguson (1810-1886), an influential Irish poet and antiquarian who dedicated much of his work to preserving Irish cultural heritage.

From Handel's Messiah, a soothing and uplifting song.

Come Unto Him

From the 1956 Lerner and Loewe's hit Broadway musical starring Julie Andrews, and 1964 movie
My Fair Lady.

I Could Have Danced All Night

The jazz standard from Gershwin's classic opera and Broadway musical, Porgy and Bess.


A Musical Picnic

Summertime

Peter plays solo piano on the theme from the 1955 movie, "Picnic."  A lovely, haunting melody.

Theme from Picnic

A choral arrangement by Peter of the Father Michael Joncas hymn based on Isaiah 40:31 and Psalm 91

On Eagle's Wings

A cherished traditional Irish folk song whose origins can be traced to the mid-19th century. The hauntingly beautiful melody comes from County Derry in Northern Ireland, while the poignant lyrics were penned by Sir Samuel Ferguson (1810-1886), an influential Irish poet and antiquarian who dedicated much of his work to preserving Irish cultural heritage.

The Lark in the Clear Air

An instrumental version of Handel's Largo (Ombra mai fu or Under my shade) from the opera, Xerxes.  Peter plays the double bass with piano accompaniment.

Handel's Largo

The Oscar Peterson classic written in 1962 was swiftly embraced by people all over the world as an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement.  Peter arranged a choral version with the two of us singing all the parts.

The Lark in the Clear Air

Peter and Helen Ness

Related tracks