VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: A Birthday Garland

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: A Birthday Garland

Roderick Williams baritoneSusie Allan piano SOMM 0683 It seems that Roderick Williams is never out of the recording studio, but this disc is more special as he has conceived it both as a CD and as a complete recital. He explains in the excellent booklet notes (also...
CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD: Shamus O’Brien

CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD: Shamus O’Brien

Retrospect OperaThe Orchestra of Scottish OperaDavid Parry conductor and the spoken role of Sergeant Cox Opera Bohemia Voices chorus RETROSPECT OPERA  RO011 Shamus O’Brien, first performed in 1896, was Stanford’s most successful opera. Well-known names of the...
MICHAEL FINNISSY: Alternative Readings

MICHAEL FINNISSY: Alternative Readings

Marsyas TrioLotte Betts-Dean mezzo-sopranoJoseph Havlet piano METIER MEX 77102 Michael Finnissy is one of the most articulate and prolific composers of his generation, generally bracketed with other pioneers who have soldiered for decades under the dauntingly...
DUO MENURIDA: In Two Minds

DUO MENURIDA: In Two Minds

Laura Chislett flutesEdward Cowie piano métier  mex 77121 Menurida is the Latin family name of the Australian Lyrebird. From there comes the name of the flute and piano duo bringing together Australian flute virtuoso Laura Chislett and composer Edward Cowie, born...
ELISABETH LUTYENS: Piano Music Volume 3

ELISABETH LUTYENS: Piano Music Volume 3

Martin Jones Resonus  RES10331 In the book A Pilgrim Soul by Meirion and Susie Harries (Michael Joseph 1989) they write ‘Few people consider Lizzie’s piano works to be amongst her best, she herself felt she did not really understand the instrument’. But Martin...