Gemini is one of the leading British chamber ensembles and has supported many contemporary composers over the years. Their association with Philip Grange goes back to the mid 1990s. Philip Grange’s earliest published compositions date from the late 1970s, and include Cimmerian Nocturne, written for Peter Maxwell Davies’ Fires of London – and inspired by […]

Philip Grange realized in a moment of reflection that his music frequently took off from other creative artists and writers. From that reflection comes this new release titled Homage, which comprises four chamber works that pay homage to a painter, two writers and a fellow composer. By going into such enticing detail, Grange has found a hook, not just for his own imaginative process but also for the listener.

Following the success and critical acclaim of recent recordings, the British chamber ensemble Gemini is busy finalising a new collection of chamber works by Philip Grange which will be released by Métier in the summer. This CD of music by Philip Grange features Shifting Thresholds, a major new large-scale, structurally sophisticated work marking an important […]

Five stars: Gemini is an outstanding ensemble and Sophie Harris is a wonderful cellist. Plenty of engaging textures… make a fascinating dialogue. Informative booklet and high-quality recording.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable programme. The musical language is not easy but is totally rewarding and ultimately satisfying. All the pieces are written in a modernist style that is always approachable, interesting and satisfying. All these works are written with skill, strong formal principles, sharp dissonance balancing lyricism, and a rigorous intellectual underpinning. Gemini’s playing of these four remarkable works is first-class. I think that special honours ought to go to Sophie Harris for her extraordinary performance of the Elegy for solo cello.

Grange writes music that is edgy but goes somewhere… what a wonderfully clear mind he has for structure and detail. He doesn’t have just one “voice,” but can vary his approach depending on his mood and what he’s trying to convey. This is an extraordinary CD and a composer to watch!

This work is far from difficult.. seeks to create a mood rather than offering melody. Thoughtful, stark beauty.

An ensemble like Quatuor which is subscribed to ‘heavy fare’ does of course not have any difficulties with the challenging music, which listening to repeatedly is a very worthwhile exercise. The recording is immaculate, the booklet texts are authoritative contributed by the composers themselves. All in all highly recommended.

One of Britain’s most accomplished ensembles specialising in new music, Gemini, return to the studio in July to record a new album of music by Nicola LeFanu for Métier.  The album is tentatively titled ‘A Wild Garden’ – it contains vocal and chamber works and will be scheduled for release in the late autumn. Nicola LeFanu has had a long association […]

This is an impressive collection of new music [and] one new transcription. The quality of the recording is superb and reveals all the light, shade and colour of these works. The liner-notes, written by the composers, are extremely helpful in giving a concise account of each work. [The orchestra] give an excellent and accomplished performance of all these varied works. I enjoyed every piece, but my discovery has to be Peter Lieuwen’s imaginative and very beautiful Astral Blue.