The Song of Songs ran in 2024 at The Park Theatre and combined a range of different musical traditions with a book drawing from the erotic love poetry of the biblical Song of Songs. A Song of Songs tells the story of a young woman in a loveless marriage who discovers she has an unseen admirer.
Throughout the process I helped devise and rework the semi-improvised score each night, acting as Band Leader (or Music Captain), and leading four other musicians including percussionist Antonio Romero (The Band’s Visit, Cigdem Aslan), upright bass Ashley Blasse (Royal Shakespeare Company, The Globe), violin Amy Price (RWCMD), and Ramon Ruiz on guitar (Zorro).
”Daniel Gouly moves between clarinet and saxophone at ease, each choice adding a depth and tone to the dialogue or singing to enhance meaning… The music is exquisite throughout… will haunt the audience long after the performance ends.”
Everything Theatre
”Daniel Gouly’s haunting, glissando clarinet... can often be heard dancing with the voices of the ensemble”
The Spy in the Stalls
"The music is incredible. The Middle Eastern influences are gorgeous"
Theatre and Tonic
“The band is fantastic, going from mournful to suspenseful to erotic… I particularly enjoyed Daniel Gouly’s clarinet.”
Lost in Theatreland
”The five-piece band led by Daniel Gouly...take the raptures...to an even more intense place through their music… as ecstatic and moving as anything you will find in the West End.”
Musical Theatre Review
”World-class musicians led by Daniel Gouly on clarinet”
Camden New Journal
“An evocative blend of Middle Eastern folk with Eastern European influences”
The Stage
”An orchestra that tugs at the heart with its sweet longing and tender overtures… with an incredible diversity of instruments supported superbly by the sounds of European Flamenco and Klezmer have the audience in raptures.”
North West End UK
“A vibrant and thrilling band”
Jewish Renaissance