Marcus Blunt – Orchestral Works
Marcus Blunt is a well established British composer with an international voice – his harmonic language is distinctive and varied; arising from the Romantic tradition but full of complex contrapuntal chromaticism – and also touched by the mystic in subtle ways, perhaps more apparent in his solo piano music. These works are firmly in the modern mainstream and deserve a wide audience; from the convoluted lines of the Concerto, the restrained small orchestration of the Symphony to the picturesque nature of the Bassoon Concertino, Blunt’s works retain an intense interest for the listener.
Murray McLachlan, one of the UK’s most celebrated pianists, has long championed Blunt’s work. Lesley Wilson is one of Britain’s most seasoned bassoonists and the award-winning Manchester Camerata has recently risen to the highest ranking among British chamber orchestra.
Track Listing
-
Marcus Blunt (b. 1947):
- Piano Concerto - I. Molto moderato (11:02)
- Piano Concerto - II. Largo (7:44)
- Piano Concerto - III. Allegro (8:43)
- Aspects of Saturn (6:50)
- Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra - I. Prelude (2:11)
- Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra - II. Aria (2:53)
- Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra - III. Scherzo (1:36)
- Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra - IV. Elegy (2:54)
- Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra - V. Finale (2:12)
- Symphony No. 2 - I. Allegretto (3:17)
- Symphony No. 2 - II. Andante (5:10)
- Symphony No. 2 - III. Allegretto (5:09)
- Symphony No. 2 - IV. Allegretto (3:18)
Reviews
“This recent release is a significant offering of the orchestral works of Marcus Blunt. It will surely appeal to lovers of lush harmony and orchestration. [The Piano] concerto is a significant addition to the repertoire, and this fine recording by Murray McLachlan and the Manchester Camerata is all the more welcome.
” —Matthew Bengtson
“Passages of quite luscious string writing are contrasted with the rhythmically edgy writing which is a feature of Marcus Blunt’s style. The performances of all, soloists and orchestra, in all these works are admirable. Murray McLachlan plays with razor-sharp crystalline clarity. Lesley Wilson’s playing is just marvellous.
” —Alan Cooper
“Blunt is a refined and approachable composer working in a tonal idiom not a little influenced by the harmonic ambiguities of Scriabin. The substantial, three-movement concerto is reminiscent of Prokofiev, Rachmaninov and quite a lot of late Scriabin. The four-movement symphony may be relatively brief, but it belongs firmly in the British symphonic tradition.
” —Reviews Editor
“[Blunt’s] music is both approachable and rewarding on a deeper level. Wonderfully imaginative from concept through to realization, and presented here in miraculous beauty by the Manchester Camerata. Glorious. The recording is superb. This is a tremendous success from all viewpoints.
” —Colin Clarke
“Excellent CD: it tackles big themes without being intimidating and while decidedly modern [keeps] both feet in the traditional and harmonious camp. Blunt is well worth investigating, a modern composer with an old-school sound and never off-putting.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Tonally based, lyrically romantic, embracing a modern idiom yet eminently approachable. This valuable release provides a fascinating conspectus of the composer’s orchestral music. The performances are uniformly excellent.
” —Stephen Greenbank
“The pervading elusiveness of Blunt’s music makes for an unusually intriguing listening experience. The Manchester Camerata under Stephen Threlfall provides solid support throughout.
” —Michael Schulman
“I found the entire [piano] concerto deeply moving and completely satisfying. The balance of soloist and orchestra is first-rate. [Aspects of Saturn is] perfectly formed and quite simply gorgeous. This is a fascinating retrospective of Marcus Blunt’s orchestral music. The four works are well-chosen to provide an excellent introduction to his musical idiom. The quality of the recording is ideal.
” —John France
“Marcus Blunt is one of those genuine British composers whose music has been unfairly overlooked for too long. This remarkably successful disc presents four of his works. Magnificently performed, very well recorded and finely balanced… and the entire production is strongly recommended.
” —Robert Matthew-Walker
