Pamela Bowden - Mezzo Soprano

“I must mention a special lady whose settings of English poetry are of the highest quality. Elaine Hugh-Jones, who was a well-known professional accompanist has written many splendid songs to poems by RS Thomas, Tennyson and many others. These are distinguished not only by exciting, colourful and singable vocal lines but also by complex accompaniments of much interest, to complement the melodies. I have performed her songs in concert and on radio, and have recommended advanced students to take them into their repertoires.”

From Life of a Low Lady, autobiography.

Ian Venables - Composer

“Elaine Hugh-Jones’ magical setting of Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Members of the Resurrection’ is a rare gem among the jewels of English song.”

Jane Manning - Soprano

“Your lovely songs deserve a prime place in the repertoire and it has been a great pleasure to discover them and to get to know you.”

New Vocal Repertoire - edited by by Jane Manning

    Introduction to Six Songs of Walter de la Mare

“It is a rare and special pleasure to discover a major songwriter, and I am much indebted to my colleague John Potter for introducing me to the work of Elaine Hugh-Jones. Her songs show complete mastery and understanding of voice and piano writing. Although they are firmly based on a traditional musical style - that of English post-romantic - the songs are not in the least derivative. The composer shows a wonderful assurance and freshness of approach and an exceptionally sensitive response to words. It is extremely hard to choose from such a wealth of excellent material, all of it clearly and beautifully conceived, sensitive and full of character. Widely contrasting moods, pictures and situations and conjured up deftly and effortlessly. Elaine Hugh-Jones varies her material constantly yet always seems to preserve stylistic unity. Each song is a joy to sing and play. (The composer was herself a staff accompanist for the BBC, which must have contributed to her unerring instinct for the medium.)

It is impossible to imagine an audience that would not be instantly attracted to this lovely music. The words should be easily followed, giving the listener immediate enjoyment. All singers will be grateful for the chance to be heard at their vocal best and to communicate directly to the audience, virtually unimpeded by technical problems.”

New Vocal Repertoire Vol. 2 - edited by Jane Manning

    Introduction to A Cornford Cycle

“A consummate songwriter, and one of the most rewarding discoveries of Volume 1, Elaine Hugh-Jones has confined herself almost entirely to the medium of voice and piano. Her zest for composing and a natural gift for communicating, show in all her work. Many years as a professional accompanist have given her special insight into the practical aspects of the singer’s art, and a superb ear and meticulous craftsmanship combine to produce music that is as pleasurable to sing as it is to listen to.

Her imaginative response to these eight evocative texts is as unerring as ever. Her keyboard parts underline and enhance the atmosphere and pictorial content of each poem, in unfailingly idiomatic fashion, with balance and layout admirably planned. A rigorous approach to verbal and musical detail - the composer admits to spending lengthy periods honing and polishing each phrase until it feels exactly right - is concealed within music of great spontaneity and variety. Rhythmic and harmonic interest never flag, and the expressive range of the songs is immense, despite their modest dimensions. The style owes much to an earlier generation of British Romantics, but Hugh-Jones’ rare gift is that of saying something entirely fresh and personal within the familiar idiom. The sheer quality of her work should win her a much larger audience, and young singers and teachers will find it invaluable. Even beginners can shine in such grateful material, and accompanists are certain to enjoy themselves hugely.”

Colin Scott-Sutherland

Writing about The Starlight Night - No. 1 of Two Night Songs.

“A most beautiful setting of a difficult poet. The thing that strikes me most of all is the capture of a mood of ecstasy - that rare expressiveness that is so absent from music, indeed from all the arts today. Elaine Hugh-Jones’ Starlight Night is an expansive, adventurous setting that is yet within our perceptions of expression - we can understand it and not only that, we can feel where the composer in understandable language - taking us way beyond into those realms into which music penetrates as does no other art.”

Malvern Gazette - 1990

Eight Songs of Walter de la Mare - Orchestral Version

“After the interval we had the pleasure of hearing Eight Songs of Walter de la Mare by Elaine Hugh-Jones. Before the concert [the composer] had given an informative talk regarding these songs. She explained that her starting point for composition is at the keyboard, trying to establish the mood of the words she is setting; she considers that the accompaniment and vocal line have equal importance - and that every note counts.

Hearing these songs for the first time, the detailed expressiveness was clearly evident. The starkness of Winter, the descriptive Witch Hare, the instant shimmering silverness in the opening bars of Silver, the thrilling rush of The Ride-by-Nights as it raced to the final climax.

Pictured right - Elaine’s Piano teacher, Julius Isserlis