Feb 23, 2021 | CD reviews
Matthew Jones violinSarah-Jane Bradley violaTim Lowe celloAnnabel Thwaite piano Naxos 8.573892 Walton shows flashes of astonishing genius in this composition of his punchy four-movement Piano Quartet written in 1919 at the tender age of just 16. It is a juvenile gem...
Feb 23, 2021 | CD reviews
20th century British music for solo harp Eleanor Hudson Harp Mike Purton Recordings MPR110 Writing for the harp needs study and sometimes guidance from a willing player, as I know from my own experience. After a while you suddenly get the knack but it’s...
Feb 22, 2021 | CD reviews
Experiential Orchestra and ChorusJames Blachly conductorSarah Brailey sopranoDashon Burton bass-baritone CHANDOS CHSA5279 The Prison (1929 -30), Dame Ethel Smyth’s only symphony and her last major work, is not really a symphony in any conventional sense. It was...
Feb 22, 2021 | CD reviews
ALBION ALBCD043 The charisma and charm that oozes and enchants its way throughout Albion’s second collection of Vaughan William’s Folk Songs is masterfully delivered here. Fine British music and choice words combine to produce a finely balanced mix in this recording,...
Feb 22, 2021 | CD reviews
BBC Philharmonic OrchestraJac van Steen conductor Signum Records SIG 647 A deeply felt affinity with nature proudly sits at the heart of David Matthews’ latest collection of works, a collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Jac van Steen, under the title...
Feb 15, 2021 | CD reviews
A MUSICAL FANTASY FOR GUITARS, UKULELES AND CELLO Rewilding is available on vinyl as a limited edition gatefold with artwork by the English ‘unrealist’ artist, Jon Everitt. Although there are no plans for a CD release, the album is widely available to stream or...