Divine Art Records

Artist: Jonathan Higgins

  • Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 (“The Trout”)

    Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 (“The Trout”)

    This digital release is a companion to “John Boyden: A Celebration” and presents a new recording of Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 (“Die Forelle/The Trout”), performed by Jonathan Higgins and the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra. John Boyden, a luminary in the British music industry, is honored with this tribute, marking his exceptional contributions to classical music.

    John Boyden’s illustrious career began with the founding of Classics for Pleasure, achieving the remarkable feat of selling four million classical recordings in four years. As the first Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, he navigated a tumultuous period with visionary leadership. Boyden’s innovative spirit also led to the creation of several independent classical record companies and the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra, dedicated to reviving early 20th-century performance styles.

    Boyden championed a return to the classic Double Cube or Shoebox concert hall design and criticized the modern orchestra’s growing volume. His belief in the human pulse over the metronome’s tyranny reflected his commitment to authentic musical expression.

    Born on 14 September 1936 in Woolwich, London, Boyden’s journey in music was predestined. His entrepreneurial ventures, including Philharmonic Records and John Boyden Recordings, showcased his dedication to bringing classical music closer to enthusiasts. Collaborating with Paul Hamlyn, he launched Classics for Pleasure, resonating with global audiences.

    Boyden’s tenure as the inaugural Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra was marked by significant artistic developments. Despite facing challenges, his influence was profound. His subsequent roles as a writer for Private Eye and the launch of Enigma Classics demonstrated his versatility and commitment to the industry.

    Disillusioned by contemporary orchestral recording practices, Boyden revived the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra in 1992, preserving the traditions of the original orchestra and championing a more organic approach to music-making.

    John Boyden’s legacy transcends his numerous achievements; it lives on in the hearts of those inspired by his unwavering pursuit of artistic integrity. This exquisite recording of Schubert’s masterpiece celebrates his enduring impact.

  • Prokofiev: Cinderella & Romeo and Juliet Ballet Suites

    Prokofiev: Cinderella & Romeo and Juliet Ballet Suites

    Of the major works of Sergei Prokofiev, none (apart perhaps from Peter and the Wolf) have become so well loved by a wide audience as the ballets Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet. From the stage productions, to the orchestral suites, to the piano versions, many of these pieces are universally recognised.

    In the 1950s, four pieces from each ballet were arranged for clarinet and piano by Bronislav Prorvich, a clarinettist with the Bolshoi Theatre. Strangely, so far as we know, these sparkling arrangements have never previously been recorded. Ian Scott and his producer Malcolm McMillan have added a further 12 movements from the ballets, many of which strongly featured the clarinet in the original orchestral version. This has resulted in a lovely collection of pieces that are at once very familiar but also heard in a completely new light.

    SUPPORTED BY THE OLEG PROKOFIEV TRUST