Ed Hughes: Time, Space & Change
One of the Top 100 albums of 2020 (Sunday Times). See the full list
Ed Hughes is a master of composition to the highest degree; his works have been premiered and performed around the world and include operas, music for silent films, chamber, orchestral and piano works – and those just on his recordings for Métier. He has received commissions from London Sinfonietta, The Opera Group, Brighton Festival, Glyndebourne and major ensembles. He won the British Composer Award for his Chaconne for Jonathan Harvey.
This new album reflects his deep interest in ancient music and poetry (as demonstrated by Sinfonia for chamber orchestra), and also the landscape and natural features of Sussex (Cuckmere: A Portrait) but however local the inspiration, Hughes’s work has universal appeal.
Performers:
Cuckmere: A Portrait: Orchestra of Sound and Light conducted by Ed Hughes
Sinfonia: New Music Players conducted by Nicholas Smith
Media Vita: New Music Players Piano Trio (Suzanne Stanzeleit violin Joe Giddey cello Richard Casey piano)
Track Listing
-
Ed Hughes (b.1968):
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - I. Prelude (2:00)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - II. Autumn (6:30)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - III. Interlude I (1:30)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - IV. Winter (6:30)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - V. Interlude II (1:23)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - VI. Spring (4:58)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - VII. Interlude III (1:27)
- Cuckmere: A Portrait - VIII. Summer (6:15)
- Media Vita (piano trio) (10:34)
- Sinfonia - I. Agincourt (2:32)
- Sinfonia - II. Stella Celi Extirpavit (2:54)
- Sinfonia - III. Veni Sancte Spiritus (7:07)
- Sinfonia - IV. In iejunio et fletu (6:34)
- Sinfonia - V. Silver Swan (4:20)
- Sinfonia - VI. In Nomine (6:56)
Reviews
“Engaging, energetic, and lovely. The performances of all three works feature admirable precision, energy, and relishing of Hughes’s rich and varied instrumental palette…. the work of an intriguing, compelling, and inventive contemporary voice. Recommended
” —Ken Meltzer
“This is that rare beast: uncompromising music of our time that will raise a smile. Hughes’s achievement is to carve something perfectly crafted from a wide-ranging harmonic vocabulary. His ear for sonority is remarkable… proof positive that modem music can convey joy. Superb notes by the composer himself add to our appreciation of this beautifully recorded, fascinating music.
” —Colin Clarke
“Enchanting… astoundingly fresh and utterly devoid of cliché. [Hughes’s] voice remains defiantly identifiable The performances of all these pieces are superb. Métier’s sound is first-rate and perfectly tailored to the specific needs of Hughes’ singular pieces.
” —Richard Hanlon
“This is truly exciting music—Ed Hughes has an uncommon skill. Sinfonia is a masterpiece that satisfies the endless tension between tradition and modernity in classical music. I find it enthralling.
” —Nathan Faro
“Hughes’ writing is very seductive, and he is adept at creating striking and rather lovely textures. The performances from the Orchestra of Sound and Light, and from the New Music Players are uniformly excellent. This disc forms an approachable introduction to the composer’s music, providing the new listener with a variety of ways into Hughes’ complex, seductive and fascinating sound world.
” —Robert Hugill
“Overall, the music [of ‘Cuckmere’] is firmly tonal and is expressively colourful.In the Sinfonia and in ‘Media Vita’ Hughes deconstructs originals and reassembles them in his own individual modernist style. All this is performed with considerable clarity.
” —Alan Cooper
“Hughes creates a fascinating soundworld with hints of earlier musical traditions within a complex tapestry of modern orchestral colours. Having seen the film performance [of Cuckmere: A Portrait], the images of the beautiful landscape remain in my mind, and Hughes’ music brings them straight back in this incredibly effective piece. Elements of the sources [for Sinfonia] are used in highly imaginative ways.
” —Nick Boston
“We’re impressed with this, modern without being jarring and traditional in sound without being formulaic. The opening Cuckmere is the best section but the whole programme is interesting.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Ed Hughes’s music comes as a refreshing change. The composer is willing and able to use a wide variety of musical inspirations and palettes. The opening work on this CD is superb. Media Vita is a remarkable work. [Sinfonia] is a remarkably taut score, with many felicitous moments. The playing is excellent in all three works. The recording is ideal.
” —John France
“The title of this rich disc alludes to England and its music. The technique recalls Peter Maxwell Davies; the sensibility is different.
” —Paul Driver
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