Performances which are both polished and committed, from this amazing choir, including a few well-known sacred pieces by Durufle, Stainer, Stanford; new works by brilliant Scots composer Martin Dalby, gems from John Tavener and Alan Rawsthorne, and a selection of traditional Scottish songs in super new arrangements by Ken Johnson.
Label: Divine Art
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Bach Transcriptions and Australian Piano Music
The first recording for some twenty years by a performer whose pioneering version of the Bliss Piano Concerto for EMI in the 1960s (now re-issued on Diversions DDV 24106) drew undiluted praise. Trevor plays the great Bach/Busoni transcriptions, Myra Hess’ version of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and (for the first time on CD) works by Australian composers Margaret Sutherland Felix Werder and Nigel Butterley.
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The Scottish Romantics
Most of the piano works of McCunn (whose operas are being rediscovered), McEwen, and Mackenzie, who is acknowledged to be one of Elgar’s main influences, are on this disc, all for the first time. Pieces ranging in mood from Chopin to Debussy via Liszt, and all with an unmistakeable Scottish lilt. Voted one of the best CDs of 1996 by “Scotland’s Music”
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A Celebration of Cellos
This was probably the first CD anywhere totally devoted to original works for three or four cellos, wonderful music which has been shamefully neglected. Cello Spice is a group of Scotland’s finest cellists, namely Alison Lawrence, Gillian Copp, John Davidson and Mark Bailey.
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Cantatas from the Georgian Drawing room
Rediscovered gems from the 18th Century, these secular (or “profane”) cantatas tell of nymphs and shepherds cavorting around the fields of ancient Greece. Concert Royal are one of Britain’s longest-established “authentic performance” ensembles, playing period instruments, and this was their (and Divine Art’s) first CD.
“refreshingly unfamiliar and pleasant listening” – BBC Music Magazine
“excellently performed … first class recording … I recommend it without reservation” – Bulletin of The Federation of Recorded Music Societies