James Cook writes for voices, mainly a capella, in numbers ranging from four to forty-plus. This disc continues the survey of his music started with Heaven’s Happiness (DDA 25023), written very much in the Anglican choral tradition, and ideal for skilled church and amateur choirs. All first recordings.
Also available: Heaven’s Happiness DDA 25023 – and see the composer index for more vocal, organ and harp music by James Cook.
DVOŘÁK: “New World” Symphony
MENDELSSOHN: “Scottish” Symphony
both in the composers’ own four-hand versions
There are hundreds of works which have been arranged for piano duet, many quite mediocre. But there are some magnificent works, including those selected by Goldstone & Clemmow, Britain’s top duo. The two symphonies on this disc are such examples, both having been written by the composers as original versions and not as an afterthought. We believe that this is the first recording of the “Scottish” Symphony in this version.
Beethoven’s three most famous sonatas have received hundreds of recordings. Why another, especially from a company like Divine Art which usually avoids duplicating repertoire?
Because we believe that each piece of music demands a performance tailored to the composition, and that recently, every recording of a major work seems to sound the same. Beethoven’s sonatas are fiery, storm-filled works which require playing not only of consummate skill but also total passion and commitment. They receive that here, together with a piano of individual character, with a “visceral” quality (to quote Goldstone), and ideal for this music.
But this CD contains two special tracks: we offer the world première recording of Moscheles’ arrangement of the Overture to “Fidelio”. And also, two alternative versions of the first movement of the “Pathétique” Sonata, one incorporating Goldstone’s belief regarding the correct execution of the exposition repeat. We could not pack any more onto a disc!
In the third of a series of CD’s containing Galuppi’s sonatas, we present another eight of these masterpieces. All music lovers should sample these seminal works, which made Galuppi one of the greatest composers of his day;all the more strange that he should have fallen into such obscurity. All the sonatas on this disc are unpublished and have been reconstructed for performance by Peter Seivewright from the original manuscripts.
Peter Seivewright has spent a good deal of time on a research mission to Venice and other European cities, retrieving the unpublished manuscript scores and preparing performing editions. One of the great revelations brought about by this work is that Galuppi, far from being a straightforward baroque composer writing for the traditional keyboard instruments (harpsichord and clavichord), which have been employed in all previous recordings, actually waited until the piano had been developed before creating most of his phenomenal output. Many of the original manuscripts are titled “Sonata for Pianoforte”, and much of the writing, making substantial use of the sustain pedal, simply do not work on the earlier instruments.
Written to be played by children perhaps, but not all these pieces are as simple as the title may suggest! Miniature modern masterpieces by some of the 20th century’s greatest composers.
Raymond Clarke is an acknowledged master of the 20th century repertoire and his previous recordings have received immense praise. He has been described as “a staggering pianist of exceptional gifts”.
James Cook writes for voices, mainly a capella,in numbers ranging from four to forty-plus. This disc comprises settings of Puritan writings, written very much in the Anglican choral tradition, and ideal for church, professional and amateur choirs. All first recordings.
Also available: The Way to Heaven DDA 25027. And see the composer index for vocal, organ and harp music by James Cook.
Schubert did of course write a great deal of music for two pianists to play together, and Goldstone & Clemmow, Britain’s top duo, have recorded all of it – and all available in the set DDA 21701
Almost unknown and certainly neglected are the brilliant transcriptions made by other composers of some of Schubert’s masterpieces. These have been unearthed from various places and recorded for the first time. This is a groundbreaking performance which will be required by all lovers of Schubert and of piano music alike.
ALL WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS except Polonaise
Also see Volume Two and Three
This album has been produced as a limited edition product to celebrate the glittering career, which spanned over 60 years, of Peter Katin, one of the great names of British pianism. It is an essential purchase for everyone who loves great piano music.
Also see Peter Katin’s retrospective CD “Fifty Years of Music Making” also in limited edition release (RP001)
Until Anthony’s untimely passing in 2017, Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow were Britain’s top piano duo, and have an extensive discography, which is exceptionally popular and critically acclaimed. On this CD they play both together and individually, to present for the first time major piano works by British composers.
ALL TRACKS ARE WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS
We released this CD to celebrate the 70th birthday of celebrated clarinettist Colin Bradbury. The public launch of the disc was at Colin’s concert with Oliver at the Wigmore Hall, London on March 27, 2004. This is a delightful programme of lieder from the mid 19th century, and some of these pieces are recorded here for the first time.
On this album we present works by three well-known modern composers, Iannis Xenakis, Michael Finnissy and Morton Feldman, together with pieces by three young British composers whose work deserves more recognition. Philip Howard is a pianist of extraordinary talent, who copes with the fierce demands of these works with aplomb. Music by Paul Newland and Paul Whitty can also be found on other metier albums (use the browse catalog menu).
ALL WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS (except “Evryali” and “Palais de Mari”)
The third of three volumes containing some of the greatest piano music ever written, played by Schubert specialist Anthony Goldstone.
This issue is rather special and historically important as it contains the first recordings of Goldstone’s own completions of two unfinished works, the D. 900 Allegretto and the Reliquie Sonata, D.840
See details for Volume One and Volume Two as well as the low-priced bundle.