Franz Liszt is of course the father of Romantic pianism and his Sonata in B minor is a tour-de-force of whirlwind phrasing and technical demands. Julius Reubke was one of his favoured pupils, whose Sonata in B flat minor is very much in the same mould, and a real challenge to any pianist. Here we present the sonatas of master and pupil together for the first time, admirably performed by celebrated English pianist Anthony Hewitt.
A Gramophone Magazine Recommended Recording
David Earl is a fine British composer whose music is at once traditional in its tonality but also absolutely individual and distinctive. This is the first recording of his Cello Sonata, played by cellist George Corbett with James Sherlock (piano); the composer himself performs his exotic Piano Suite No. 3, a musical representation of Buddhist mandalas.
Booklet notes in English, French and German.
A fine recital of 20th century music for flute and piano by English composers including some rare pieces, all melodic and memorable. A special recording as it features the traditional “English” wooden flute rather than the metal flute now more prevalent. Its warm tone embellishes these works even more.
From one of the UK’s most celebrated and accomplished violinists comes a recording of personal favourites in a recital of romantic and lyrical music par excellence. Madeleine Mitchell is enjoying a highly successful career in both recording and live recitals, and her first CD for Divine Art is a joyful celebration of her chosen instrument. With highly accomplished pianist Andrew Ball, and joined in Strauss’s “Morgen” by soprano Elizabeth Watts, winner of the 2007 Recital Prize at the Cardiff “Singer of the World” competition. Included is the first ever recording of the newly-discovered Morceau Caracteristique by Frank Bridge.
Brian Chapple is a British composer of great skill who has not yet been as fully recognised as he deserves. This CD includes music for both solo piano and piano duo, demonstrating a range of styles from the very serious “Requies” to the fun-filled and jazz-inspired “Burlesque”. As ever, performed to perfection by Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow.
Kris Lennox is a young British pianist and composer who is already making a name for himself with concerts in Monaco and Japan, as well as other locations. His music on this recording, unlike his more recent experimental work, is unashamedly tonal and lyrical, programmatic – even expressionistic – but yet is not old fashioned but in line with the current popularity of “post-modern”, approachable classical music – a style which stretches back, in British music, through Bath, Wood, and Addinsell to composers such as Ketelbey. But Lennox has very much his own voice, and his music reflects places and events in his experience, “photographed” in music.
Etienne Cutajar is a star of the future and an extraordinarily gifted horn player. This CD presents music for horn with piano, with harp and solo. Included are two world première recordings: the Fantasie Sonata by Charles Camilleri (who attended the recording sessions and was most delighted with the performance!) and Jean-Michel Damase’s “Aspects”.
Booklet notes in English, French, German.
Following Anthony Goldstone’s surveys of rare and previously unrecorded music by Schubert and Beethoven (some original, some in arrangements) and the groundbreaking disc of Mozart piano duo works made with Caroline Clemmow (25046) this is perhaps his most ambitious project to date, including two completely new sonatas, realised from sketches left by Mozart, and several other newly-completed pieces. Approved with enthusiasm by Mozart scholars, including Julian Rushton who wrote the booklet notes, these wonderful new completions will soon be part of the standard Mozart repertoire. ALL FIRST RECORDINGS.
Thirteen of the great baroque master’s organ works, in fine new performances by David Hamilton, played on the Aubertin organ at the University of Aberdeen.
Mozart wrote one complete sonata for two pianos, the famous D major, here in a superb performance. But he also left sketches of a second work in B flat, which has been completed and realised by Anthony Goldstone. Together with Goldstone’s transcription of the Adagio and Rondo, originally written for glass harmonica, and arrangements by Busoni and Grieg, this is perhaps one of the most fascinating and unusual programmes of Mozart available.
A most important world première recording – possibly the world’s most loved piano concerto, in the arrangement for two pianos partly written by Grieg himself. The CD also contains the first recording of Grieg’s piano version of the Homage March indomitably played as always by Britain’s leading piano duo.
Alongside Nielsen, Glass is the genius of Danish romantic music, but recordings of his work are rare – we present the first recording of his two fine sonatas and other works.