John Rose writes music which embraces a post-modern freedom – allowing him to build tonal and memorable music often with a strong neo-baroque sound, strongly inspired by Bach – although Shostakovich is another source of inspiration. This is not to limit his work which is varied and rich, but emphasises his distinctive linear style.
Hopefully his work will become better known as his musical legacy deserves recognition.
This splendid recital of works by Johann Sebastian Bach has been produced in collaboration with Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, to display the fine and distinctive sounds of the instrument. The booklet contains a history of the organ and its full specification. David Hamilton’s second CD, as with his recent Buxtehude album, shows a performer with skill and musicianship and also a deep empathy with the works of the baroque masters.
Above all other periods, the ‘roaring’ 1920s were possibly the years of greatest carefree feeling in British society; America too, to an extent despite the Prohibition and limitations on personal freedom. The new dance crazes, from the foxtrot to the Charleston, Black Bottom and tango, together with the ever increasing popularity of jazz and blues idioms which created the ‘hot dance’ number, created a golden era in light music, which was eagerly taken up by ‘serious’ composers; here we have a parade of gems – major works from Gershwin and Milhaud, to miniatures full of fun. Exquisitely performed as ever by Britain’s top duo.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Paul Taffanel was probably the most influential figure in the world of flute music, as performer and composer, but more so as inspirer, commissioner and supporter of fine works by a multitude of composers; this set contains many of those, most of which, having fallen out of fashion in the modernist 20th century, have never been recorded until now – indeed many have been unperformed for years. A great shame as these are without exception, exquisite and lovely works, beautifully performed. One or two well known pieces are included too. The artists have put an immense amount of dedication into this, their ‘magnum opus’. over 76 minutes on each CD all at mid price.
This set is the final release in the Avison Ensemble’s complete recording of Avison’s orchestral and chamber music, marvellous baroque works of inspiration which have been greeted with delight by customers and critics alike. Here we have the twelve harpsichord sonatas of opus 5 and opus 7 – a worthy culmination of a fine series. The full series is available as a low-price set.
The final part of Anthony Goldstone’s brilliant triptych of recitals including transcriptions, variations, fantasias, and arrangements of music from public ‘spectacles’ – the first two CDs attracted enormous critical praise and this volume is no less fine, containing perhaps a few more well-known themes, such as those from Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, but in fresh and new arrangements by the performer – indeed most of the music here is receiving its first recording.
Now, posthumously, here is volume 2 (DDA 25148)
A Night at the Opera (DDA 25067)
The Piano at the Carnival (DDA 25076)
This 2-CD set contains the whole of an acclaimed recital at the Wigmore Hall, London, on 9 June 2009 by the awesomely talented young British pianist Christopher Langdown, who gives phenomenal performances of Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata and other virtuoso works, as well as the world premiere of his own Deo Omnis Gloria, a very fine set of three neo-romantic pieces conceived in the late 19th-century style. This debut album shows yet another remarkable talent in the world of modern pianism.
Arensky was a fine pianist who actually made several recordings in the 1890s; his pianism is evident in his compositions for the instrument and he could easily be thought of as the Russian Chopin – brilliantly conceived works in the high Romantic tradition which deserve to be highly popular.
This recording was previously released briefly on Olympia.
Volume 1 of the John Ellis Organ music was recorded by Ronald Frost and received much acclaim. This CD featuring the extremely talented young organist Robin Walker continues the theme of music which is very firmly in the English Cathedral tradition, but which, as several critics have commented, also displays a very remarkable and distinctive voice – and is as suitable for recital performance as much as within the confines of liturgical use. The brilliant Symphony is perhaps the prime example of this genre to be written in recent years. A recording we are delighted to have in our catalogue. See volume 1 here.
WE ARE SORRY TO NOTE THAT JOHN ELLIS DIED ON APRIL 26, 2010. A GREAT LOSS TO MUSIC.
The unfinished yet magnificent Tenth is a fitting climax to probably the most glorious and exceptional symphonic oeuvre; truly the spirit of music. The first movement was transcribed for piano by Ronald Stevenson, and with his guidance and encouragement, the remaining four movements have been transcribed by Christopher White, who here presents the premiere recording of what is not only a transcription but a very fine and substantial work for solo piano.
Our series continues with one of the lesser known figures of 20th century Russian music – and some wonderful music which is brilliantly constructed. This is high Romantic music at its very best; a sumptuous Sonata, and several more pieces which can be considered equal to the established repertoire and is truly among the most virtuosic and rich music ever written.
(previously very briefly available on Olympia)
Apart from the regular use of some his works in examination syllabuses, the music of Rebikov (1866-1920) is shockingly neglected – most items on this CD are receiving their first recording – and this is the composer who was once called ‘the father of Russian modernism’. One of the first proponents of the whole-tone scale, his music is in a bewildering array of styles, foreshadowing composers as diverse as Debussy, Stravinsky, Copland and Villa-Lobos.
The music here, apart from the 20-minute Esclavage et liberté, consists of a number of suites of impressionist music. Modern, but bright, direct and often humorous music makes Rebikov the perfect composer for pianists and piano enthusiasts whatever their preferences in genre.