Divine Art Records

Artist: Richard Simpson

  • Diary of the Bee: Chamber Music by Helen Leach

    Diary of the Bee: Chamber Music by Helen Leach

    A Masterpiece Recorded at Historic Marchmont House

    Composer Helen Leach, known for her enchanting compositions that evoke rich landscapes and deep emotions, releases her album titled “Diary of the Bee.” This new collection features a series of rich, tonally traditional compositions. With all tracks being world premiere recordings, the album showcases Leach’s remarkable ability to blend lyrical melodies with profound storytelling.
    “Diary of the Bee” marks a significant addition to the classical repertoire, offering listeners an absorbing journey through Leach’s musical landscapes. Each piece on the album unveils a unique narrative, beautifully performed by leading instrumental soloists alongside the esteemed Victoria String Quartet. Reflecting on the inspiration behind her compositions, Leach shares, “Every piece in this album holds a special place in my heart, drawing from personal experiences and the beauty of nature that surrounds me.” Indeed, each composition in “Diary of the Bee” tells a story, from the evocative tribute to Prince Philip in “An Edinburgh Farewell” to the introspective musings captured in “Letters from the Owl House.”

    Among the highlights of the album is “Cup of Kindness,” a poignant ode to the universal warmth and blessings symbolised by Robert Burns’ iconic line, “we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet.” With its tender melodies and thoughtful arrangements, the piece resonates with a sense of harmony and peace.

    Another standout track, “Tenera Caritate,” showcases Leach’s mastery in crafting expressive rhapsodies, as she explores themes of love, hope, and healing through the emotive interplay of clarinet and string quartet.

    Listeners will also be enchanted by “Where Hope Was Sown,” a commissioned piece dedicated to Mr. Oliver Burge, of Marchmont Farms, which beautifully captures the essence of the Lapwing bird and its pastoral habitat through delicate musical motifs.
    From the haunting melodies of “The Black Rood of Scotland” to the elegant conversations of “A Song Without Words,” “Diary of the Bee” offers a tapestry of sound that is instantly appealing.

    Recorded at the historic Marchmont House in Scotland, where Leach is Composer-in-Residence, “Diary of the Bee” not only captures the essence of Leach’s compositions but also the timeless beauty of its surroundings. With its richly layered compositions and superb performances, “Diary of the Bee” stands as a testament to Helen Leach’s extraordinary talent and her ability to weave intricate musical narratives.

    The digital edition includes 2 extra tracks:
    Letters from the Owl House: Syzygy (Prelude)
    Letters from the Owl House: Touch of Heaven (Courante)

    Customers purchasing the CD from this website will receive the extra tracks as downloads. Download link is provided via email upon completion of CD purchase.

  • Thomas Pitfield: His Friends & Contemporaries

    Thomas Pitfield: His Friends & Contemporaries

    “Thomas Pitfield: His Friends & Contemporaries” pays homage to the multifaceted talent of Thomas Baron Pitfield (1903-1999). Pitfield was not just a composer; he embodied the essence of a Renaissance man, excelling in various fields including teaching, visual arts, poetry, writing, furniture making, and ornithology. Despite his immense talents, Pitfield remained modest and unassuming, dedicating himself to nurturing the gifts of his students at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where he taught composition from 1947 onwards.

    This album sheds light on Pitfield’s contributions to the classical music landscape, showcasing his compositions alongside those of his contemporaries including John Joubert, E. J. Moeran, Ernst Hermann Meyer, John McCabe, and many more. While Pitfield’s name may not be as widely recognized as some of his peers from the “Manchester School,” such as Richard Hall, his music exudes charm, wit, and inventiveness that captivate listeners. In an era marked by the emergence of modernist compositions, Pitfield chose to traverse the middle ground, creating music that resonates with its timeless appeal.

    Throughout his tenure as a composition teacher, Pitfield played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of notable composers like John McCabe, David Ellis, and John Golland, the latter of whom also shared a close personal friendship with Pitfield. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the achievements of his contemporaries, Pitfield’s legacy lives on through a revival of interest in his music.

    The album offers a glimpse into Pitfield’s musical world, featuring a selection of chamber and instrumental works that highlight his artistic vision and craftsmanship. Pitfield’s compositions are filled with elegance, lyricism, and emotional depth. His music not only showcases his technical skill but also reflects his genuine love for the art form and his dedication to inspiring future generations of musicians.

    Moreover, the album serves as a tribute to Pitfield’s enduring influence on his peers and students. His selfless encouragement and mentorship left an indelible mark on those he taught, fostering a sense of camaraderie among composers and musicians. Pitfield’s generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence resonate throughout the album, underscoring his legacy as both an artist and an educator.

    This double album celebrates the life and work of a remarkable individual whose contributions to the world of classical music extend far beyond his compositions. Through this album, listeners will rediscover the brilliance of Thomas Baron Pitfield and the rich music woven by his friends and contemporaries.

  • Songs for Sir John – A tribute to Sir John Manduell

    Songs for Sir John – A tribute to Sir John Manduell

    Sir John Manduell was a pivotal figure in British music – as composer, teacher, BBC producer, first principal of the Northern Royal College of Music and founder of the European Opera Centre. Beloved and revered by musicians, yet someone whose name is shamefully little known outside the music profession.

    This album in tribute presents works by 16 composers from more than one generation, centred around settings of W.B. Yeats and principally songs with oboe, recorder, violin and cello. The music is varied, rich and wonderfully set to the texts, and yet the textures are always transparent and clear; there is nothing inherently ‘difficult’ for the listener. The performers are among the cream of the Music world of Northern England, and also, in the Robin Walker Nursery Rhymes (the only work not specially recorded for the album), feature the iconic veteran BBC presenter Richard Baker. Many of these artists have starred in several other Divine Art and Metier albums – click their names above for details.

    Even without the Manduell connection this is a wonderfully constructed program of new chamber music. In the track list below, the non-vocal works are marked *.

  • Robin Stevens: Prevailing Winds

    Robin Stevens: Prevailing Winds

    The British composer Robin Stevens is a great talent waiting to be discovered by the global music community. His varied, stimulating and expressive work is exemplified by this collection of music for wind instruments, ranging from the jolly and accessible (yet very difficult to play) Concert Rondo to the darker, deeper and meaningful Grief’s Portrait.

    Stevens has a brilliant touch, and also is an excellent pianist, cellist and guitarist and plays all three instruments here, alongside some of the foremost instrumentalists from the musical hotspot of Manchester, England: John Bradbury (principal clarinet, BBC Philharmonic); John Turner (recorderist: Academy of Ancient Music etc.); Richard Simpson (principal oboe, BBC Symphony), Janet Simpson (former principal keyboardist, Hallé Orchestra); and wonderful soloists Sarah Miller (flutes); Helen Peller (bassoon) and Lindsey Stoker (horn).

  • John Turner – Christmas Card Carols

    John Turner – Christmas Card Carols

    For over twenty years, Britain’s foremost recorder player, John Turner, has composed a carol and sent the score as his Christmas Card. Until now just a personal gift to his friends, John was persuaded to record a selection, which has led to this beautiful album.

    Presented by the chamber choir Intimate Voices and featuring sopranos Sasha Johnson Manning, Eleanor Gregory and Philippa Hyde in solo and duet pieces, with obbligato harp and oboe in some, this is a lovely mixed program of Nativity carols, composed very much in traditional style, in new settings of ancient texts.

    John Turner is a fine composer but is chiefly known as a recorder player and champion of contemporary composers, with dozens of recordings to his credit, many from Divine Art and Métier.

  • Travelling Light: Music of Jim Parker

    Travelling Light: Music of Jim Parker

    Perhaps the name of Jim Parker is not well known – but his music is loved worldwide. Composer of numerous film and theatre scores, he is best known for his television music which includes Foyle’s War, House of Cards, Midsomer Murders and House of Elliott among many more. He has won the British Academy Award for Best TV Music on no less than four occasions.

    This brilliant album collects a number of Parker’s recent compositions which are not directly for TV but still have a marvelous pictorial quality and display his remarkable talent for memorable melodies and coloration, whether it be the recorder acting like a Peruvian pipe, or violins emulating the Hurdy-Gurdy.

    Light music albums of this quality are very rare these days and this is a joyful gem.

  • Wind Blown – Sonatas for Wind Instruments

    Wind Blown – Sonatas for Wind Instruments

    Peter Hope is one of those remarkably talented composers whose music is far netter known than his name. An arranger and composer of light music for decades, working with the BBC Concert Orchestra and writing themes for public events, his music has been heard worldwide – and by millions of British watchers of BBC TV News which used Peter’s theme for over a decade.

    A selected set of wind soloists present the first CD devoted to Peter Hope’s compositions which are fresh, vigorous and enchanting – and as the composer says, ‘unashamedly tonal’.