Divine Art Records

Artist: Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble

  • Frisson

    Frisson

    On 9 January 2026, conductor Shea Lolin presents Frisson, an exciting new album of music for woodwind orchestra and his third recording with the principal woodwind players of the Czech Philharmonic (Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year 2024). Frisson follows the release of the ground-breaking Twisted Skyscape, the first album devoted entirely to new music for woodwind orchestra, and Chromosphere, which focused on contemporary repertoire.

    Frisson marks Shea Lolin’s 20-year involvement with the woodwind orchestra and celebrates its evolution from the early eighteenth-century genre of Harmoniemusik – formal ensemble music for pairs of winds – to its modern form.

    The album features a superb programme of arrangements for woodwind orchestra by Shea Lolin, all originally commissioned by the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble. He expands Franz Krommer’s exquisite Octet – Partita in F major, Op. 57 and Richard Strauss’s youthful Serenade, Op. 7, creating a broader sonic landscape while maintaining their essence. Also included is Cécile Chaminade’s beloved Concertino, Op. 107, arranged for woodwind orchestra and featuring young Glaswegian flautist Fiona Sweeney, who makes her debut with the Czech Philharmonic on this release. Completing the album is More Gordian Knots by Guy Woolfenden OBE, a spirited reimagining of Purcell’s music for The Gordian Knot Unty’d, written during Woolfenden’s remarkable 40-year association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

    “Through the collection of works on this album, I hope to demonstrate the rich potential and unique character of the modern woodwind orchestra, highlighting its distinct identity in the world of ensemble music…The album’s title Frisson refers to my feelings towards this recording and the milestone it represents. It also reflects the amazing playing from the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble.” – Shea Lolin

    “Splendidly mellifluous performances by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin… Lolin and the players… show off their virtuosity, flawless intonation, and ensemble. Recommended.” – Guy Rickards, Gramophone review of Chromosphere.

    Shea Lolin has been involved in nearly every aspect of the classical music industry, including performance, conducting, and management. Over the past two decades, his notable achievements include contributing to the regeneration of east London ahead of the 2012 Olympics and collaborating with prominent Czech orchestras, including the Czech Philharmonic. His work in Czechia was acknowledged by the Czech Centre in London in 2024, the same year the Czech Philharmonic was awarded Orchestra of the Year by Gramophone. In 2025, he was elected the Chair of BASBWE (British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles). shealolin.co.uk

  • Chromosphere: Symphonic Colours of the Woodwind Orchestra

    Chromosphere: Symphonic Colours of the Woodwind Orchestra

    Conductor Shea Lolin and composer/producer Christopher Hussey have returned to Prague to record with the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, carefully curating an album of premiere recordings spotlighting the woodwind orchestra, capturing its kaleidoscopic colours and symphonic potential in order to deepen and broaden appreciation of the medium’s power.

    A large chamber ensemble of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and saxophones in various sizes, the woodwind orchestra has a highly adaptable and magical tonal palette—it can be, in turn, boldly vibrant and delicately beautiful, thrillingly powerful and hauntingly tender, earnestly solemn and joyously comical.

    The recorded repertoire reflects a spectrum of musical styles that exist in 21st-century concert music, ranging from the familiar and instantly singable to the more avant-garde, but always possessing an accessible and inviting musical narrative. Chromosphere is a landmark album, comprising exciting new and re-imagined pieces by leading composers in the genre and demonstrating the unique soundworld of the woodwind orchestra.

  • Twisted Skyscape

    Twisted Skyscape

    This ground-breaking album is the first of its kind – devoted entirely to new music written for the woodwind orchestra.  It features outstanding performances by the principal woodwind players of the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Shea Lolin, and includes four world premiere recordings.

    The recording was made to both promote British composers and to give focus to the woodwind orchestra. This program showcases the woodwind orchestra in all its voices: Overture for Woodwinds is bright and lyrical, while Pantomime is joyously comical with moments of heartrending nostalgia. A notable shift in the language comes with Dreamtide, which is a beautiful expression of the subconscious, with delicate and tender lines. Battle Symphony is a pictorial suite containing elements of pastiche in ten highly original sections. The album concludes with Twisted Skyscape, a vibrant and excitingly powerful piece.

    Conductor Shea Lolin is a dynamic and versatile freelance musician living in London. His principal studies were in clarinet performance, composition and conducting at the Colchester Institute, and he has since developed an inimitable portfolio career as a conductor, performer and teacher.

    A second album of world premieres for woodwind orchestra, Chromosphere, will be released by Divine Art early 2024.