Brian Ferneyhough: Complete Piano Music 1965-2018
Without doubt Brian Ferneyhough is one of the undisputed forerunners in the contemporary music sphere, often referred to as a leading light of the ‘new complexity’ movement. Visually, his scores (such as that for ‘Quirl’ on this album) can be exceptionally complex – the music aurally can veer from hard edged to calm almost lyrical works. His output for piano is relatively modest but bears all the trademarks of his style.
This recording project began in 2005 when Ian Pace began recording Ferneyhough’s piano works for Metier just before the label was acquired by Divine Art and the master was not obtained until 2010. Rather than arrange an immediate release, Ian decided to extend the recording to include more recent compositions and also the Two-Piano Sonata, so that the set would be complete.
The full CD and digital/streaming release is scheduled for early April 2021 but for contractual reasons it is necessary to effect a digital-album release before the end of December 2020. Hence we are delighted to offer the album now in digital download format (CD-quality FLAC or MP3).
Track Listing
- Brian Ferneyhough (b.1943):
- Invention (1:55)
- Epigrams - I (1:12)
- Epigrams - II (0:48)
- Epigrams - III (2:02)
- Epigrams - IV (1:49)
- Epigrams - V (1:08)
- Epigrams - VI (1:48)
- Sonata for Two Pianos (16:04)
- Three Pieces - I (3:37)
- Three Pieces - II (7:52)
- Three Pieces - III (6:42)
- Lemma-Icon-Epigram - I. Lemma (5:51)
- Lemma-Icon-Epigram - II. Icon (6:22)
- Lemma-Icon-Epigram - III. Epigram (1:34)
- Opus Contra Naturam - I (2:41)
- Opus Contra Naturam - II (10:46)
- Opus Contra Naturam - III (3:08)
- Quirl (11:28)
- El Rey de Calabria (2:39)
Reviews
“This is a superb release of immense musical value, and a reminder of the stature of Femeyhough. Pace’s beauty of sound, as well as expression, make this a performance to remember.
” —Colin Clarke
“Has the power to leave the listener both stunned and stimulated, at least when played with such needle-sharp articulation and maximal clarity of textural layers as on these Métier discs.
” —Arnold Whittall
“[Ferneyhough’s music] is intricate, ultramodern, and nigh impenetrable. It is dominated by atonality, processes, and dense, concentrated ideas that evolve seemingly of their own accord. Most of all, it is highly virtuosic. [The performances] are arresting: they undulate, hum, blaze, and explode with life. This is an important album.
” —Nathan Faro
“Scores of incredible complexity… outstanding interpretations. Electrifying.
” —Andy Hamilton
“The most inclusive edition of this composer’s piano music so far… exhilarating account. Recorded with unfailing clarity and immediacy – a bracing traversal of music as engrossing as it is defiantly uncompromising.
” —Richard Whitehouse
“Agile and pin-sharp accounts of this complex and arresting music. (4 stars)
” —Michael Beek
“The whole set reflects very well the stylistic trajectory of the composer.
” —Jeremie Bigorie
“There is a strange alchemy at work here. Clearly virtuosic work requir[ing] considerable concentration to perform. There is a magic about this music that I cannot put my finger on. Sometimes it is profitable to push beyond one’s comfort zone.
” —John France
“Pace performs with grace and conviction, and, most importantly in this repertoire, without any obvious sense of virtuosic display. The music is clearly under his fingers, and the excitement and tension, extreme as they often are, result from compositional choices rather than a virtuosic high-wire act. Pace, to his credit, always provides a satisfying aural experience.
” —Gavin Dixon
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