Divine Art Announces Two Groundbreaking Woodwind Recordings

Announcing Chromosphere: Symphonic Colours of the Woodwind Orchestra and Twisted Skyscape both featuring the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin with producer Christopher Hussey.

Chromosphere (DDX 21117)

Divine Art is honoured to present five world premiere recordings of new music performed by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin featuring the world-class instrumental playing of the principal woodwind players of the Czech Philharmonic and recorded in the glorious acoustic of the Dvořák Hall at the Rudolfinum in Prague. 

Following the success of their groundbreaking 2015 album, Twisted Skyscape (to be re-issued by Divine Art in 2023, DDX 21118), conductor Shea Lolin and composer/producer Christopher Hussey have returned to Prague to record with the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, carefully curating an album of premiere recordings spotlighting the woodwind orchestra, capturing its kaleidoscopic colours and symphonic potential in order to deepen and broaden appreciation of the medium’s power.

A large chamber ensemble of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and saxophones in various sizes, the woodwind orchestra has a highly adaptable and magical tonal palette—it can be, in turn, boldly vibrant and delicately beautiful, thrillingly powerful and hauntingly tender, earnestly solemn and joyously comical. 

The recorded repertoire reflects a spectrum of musical styles that exist in 21st-century concert music, ranging from the familiar and instantly singable to the more avant-garde, but always possessing an accessible and inviting musical narrative. Chromosphere is a landmark album, comprising exciting new and re-imagined pieces by leading composers in the genre and demonstrating the unique soundworld of the woodwind orchestra.

Works

• Keiron Anderson Alice in Wonderland
• Judith Bingham Mozart’s Pets
• Charlotte Harding Bright Lights
• Kamran Ince Domes
• Christopher Hussey Child of the Wandering Sea

Twisted Skyscape (DDX 21118)

 This groundbreaking album was the first of its kind devoted entirely to new music written for the woodwind orchestra.  It features outstanding performances by the principal woodwind players of the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Shea Lolin, and includes four world premiere recordings.  

• Philip Sparke Overture for Woodwinds
• Gary Carpenter Pantomime
• Christopher Hussey Dreamtide
• Adam Gorb Battle Symphony
• Christopher Hussey Twisted Skyscape

“A fantastic way to delve into the colourful world of the woodwind orchestra, with music which is varied but always approachable”

—Classical Music Magazine

SHEA LOLIN conductor

Shea Lolin studied a classical music degree in the early noughties and has worked in almost every area of the classical music industry from performing and conducting to managing several organisations and companies. With wind music taking centre stage, highlights over the last twenty years include working with the regeneration of east London in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games, setting up and running several orchestras and recording with the Czech Philharmonic, Janáček Philharmonic and the London Woodwind Orchestra. Shea has worked with several cross-discipline musicians for hundreds of projects big and small whilst commissioning some of the best contemporary composers to write new works for various combinations of instruments.

Being a resourceful freelancer, Shea had always incorporated audio and visual materials for the music industry. This began to grow in recent years fuelled by social changes culminating in a surge in demand as the global pandemic took hold. Very recently he has undertaken aerial imaging work in Chernobyl, a production with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic along with the British composer Dr Martin Ellerby, produced an album of wind orchestra music with the Pro Arte Wind Symphony with Keiron Anderson, and several live and recorded projects with Paul Bambrough and the Purcell School. Some of this work has opened the door to larger commercial projects.  His website is at shealolin.co.uk