SOLOISTS, AIDIJA CHAMBER CHOIR, conducted by ROMUALDAS GRAZINIS
A new cantata, written in the most beautiful and sumptuous traditional tonal harmonies by Armando Pierucci to poems by Regina Derieva on the subject of the Stations of the Cross. A suberb new choral work described by one critic as “a major discovery”. Recorded in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Two of the finest modern works for guitar – John Tavener’s “Chant” and Alan Rawsthorne’s “Elegy” which, with Terence Croucher’s piece of the same name gives the title to this collection – appear with music from several of Britain’s most accomplished composers for the instrument. Jonathan’s fourth recording, and his first for Divine Art, presents works with which he has a special affinity and demonstrates why these compositions deserve a wider audience. This recording has been kindly supported by the Rawsthorne Trust.
Our recording of John Tavener’s “Chant” from this CD was chosen to feature in a new 2CD set issued by Naxos in January 2004. Called “Portrait of John Tavener”, the CD number is 8.558160-61.
Jonathan Richards plays his own arrangements of music by J S Bach: “Sarabande” on DDV 24115 and gorgeous romantic pieces on “Forever” DDV 24119.
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.
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.