Soprano Susan Bullock and pianist Richard Sisson present Songs My Father Taught Me, a celebration of the timeless classics from the Great American Songbook and their worthy successors from the late 20th century. From the iconic compositions of George and Ira Gershwin to the memorable works of Richard Maltby and David Shire, this recording offers a joyful tribute to Bullock and Sisson's lifelong passion for these cherished songs.

Susan Bullock comments: “This collection of songs began as a reminiscence of my childhood and its joyful association with the American Songbook, music which was so particularly loved by my father, Bob. Cabaret pianist Richard Sisson and I first met performing ‘The Boy From…’ at the 2011 BBC Proms; the music took flight and as we explored the repertoire together a full programme emerged, not only presenting those works from the American Songbook with meant so much to my father, but also some of the other wonderful songs which have become their natural successors.”

Richard Sisson comments: “My own musical childhood has been shaped by the songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, introduced to me through Granny’s collection of well-worn LPs. Rainy half-terms in Buckhurst Hill would be spent crouched over the gramophone, listening to soundtracks from those epic Hollywood film versions of Oklahoma, Carousel’ and The King and I. As a cocktail pianist I then played many of these great classics in bars, restaurants and cabaret venues; they have become musical companions to me over nearly fifty years as a piano player. It was a great pleasure to work with Sue on this repertoire and also on some of the songs that may be seen as their rightful heirs from later in the 20th Century – Stephen Sondheim, Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Fran Landesman & Tommy Wolf and Richard Maltby & David Shire."

Susan Bullock’s substantial discography includes Der Ring des Nibelungen with Oper Frankfurt under Sebastian Weigle, and the title role in Salome with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Sir Charles Mackerras. Her vast and diverse concert work has included the Prelude und Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as working with Zubin Mehta and the orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper. Other celebrated appearances have included the Last Night of the Proms in 2011 and the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony. Her position as one of the world’s most sought-after dramatic sopranos was recognised by the award of a CBE in June 2014.

As a pianist and composer Richard Sisson has worked professionally for nearly 50 years. He has been involved with many highly regarded arts institutions – BBC Television and Radio, ITV, Channel 4, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, the Almeida Theatre, the Proms, London’s West End and Broadway. He has appeared in concerts and festivals across the world, performing at venues in over 40 countries. Much of this work was undertaken as the piano-playing half of the comedy double act Kit & The Widow. These days a more relaxed performance schedule gives him time to pursue his passion for education and he currently teaches at London’s Royal College of Music and in his home town of Luton.