Homage – music by Philip Grange
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 Grange’s studies with Max. His compositions have been performed around the world to great acclaim and many have been recorded.
The most recent work here is Shifting Thresholds completed in 2016 on a Gemini commission to celebrate the composer’s 60th birthday. This work incorporates techniques new to Grange’s work and is potentially a classic in the making. Apart from Homage to Chagall, all works on this album are receiving their first recording. Each work pays homage in name but also by absorbing elements of each artist’s work – composer John Casken, painter Marc Chagall, and writers Edward Thomas and Samuel Beckett.
Gemini was formed in 1973 and presents a richly varied repertoire from standard works from the 18th through 20th centuries, contemporary music, and theatre music. The ensemble has a busy educational aspect to its work carrying out workshops and concerts for communities and schools including music from the 11th century to the modern day. It has won several prizes including an Arts Council Incentive Award. The ensemble was also an instigator of the Hidden Sounds festival in London, which evolved into the influential ‘Women in Music’ organization.
Track Listing
-
Philip Grange (b.1956):
- Tiers of Time (8:47)
- Elegy (9:50)
- Piano Trio: Homage to Chagall - I. Moderato (6:23)
- Piano Trio: Homage to Chagall - II. Scherzo: Sepmre leggiermente (2:50)
- Piano Trio: Homage to Chagall - III. Adagio (6:55)
- Piano Trio: Homage to Chagall - IV. Con fuoco (5:32)
- Shifting Thresholds - I. Largo - Molto allegro (6:32)
- Shifting Thresholds - II. Movement in shifting tempi (7:02)
- Shifting Thresholds - III. Quasi recitativo - coda (5:35)
- Shifting Thresholds - IV. Movement in shifting tempi
Reviews
“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.
” —Peter Dickinson
“This work is far from difficult.. seeks to create a mood rather than offering melody. Thoughtful, stark beauty.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“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.
” —John France
“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!
” —Rene Lynn Bayley
“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.
” —Huntley Dent
![19 September brings Gerard McChrystal & Richard Shaw's recording of Edward Cowie: Because They Have Songs! Listen to the first track today on #AppleMusicClassical and more: listn.fm/becausetheyhavesongs [in bio]](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/538972555_18288426868283342_5911419903410525110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=ClaN-8cyw04Q7kNvwEQV1bg&_nc_oc=AdkH-jvKrmAbq1WMKEchFdswj3uHV1QTbBaHLG1rMwaYsZ_MjjE-kHJ8hGtT_QbnFPQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=IqjOLUoZWducR_u3r4VD0g&oh=00_AfZSrq3GSTVaTnwt3-mS9Wnzb6WVRgeVEvkB0TYLz-rXDA&oe=68C10E3F)
