The Path Above the Dunes: Chamber music by Nicola LeFanu

Gemini, one of Britain’s most distinguished ensembles specialising in new music, present their exceptional new album of works of renowned composer Nicola LeFanu. This beautiful recording, produced for Métier, showcases a harmonious blend of vocal and chamber compositions, including a timeless gem from the ensemble’s longstanding collaboration with LeFanu dating back to the 1970s.

Featured Compositions:

The Same Day Dawns (1974):
A mesmerizing composition scored for soprano and five instruments, incorporating verses from poems in Tamil, Chinese, Japanese, Kannada, and Akkadian.

Sextet (1996):
An evocative piece inspired by the untamed beauty of Irish landscapes, capturing the essence of Roundstone bog, the Connemara coast, and the wild flowers at Kilbaha in Co. Clare.

Piano Trio (2003):
A lyrical masterpiece, seamlessly woven into a single movement, exploring melodic and rhythmic transformations, characteristic harmonies, and unifying resonances.

The Moth-Ghost (2020):
A dramatic scena for soprano and piano, narrating the poignant tale of Thetis, a sea-goddess from Greek mythology, mourning the loss of her son Achilles in the Trojan war.

Nicola LeFanu, born in 1947 in England, is a distinguished composer with a prolific body of work, totaling around one hundred compositions. Her diverse musical creations have received global acclaim and recognition, with commissions from prestigious institutions and performances by leading orchestras, ensembles, and soloists. A proud Harkness Fellow and recipient of honorary doctorates, LeFanu’s musical legacy is published by Novello and Edition Peters.

Established in 1974, Gemini has consistently showcased a richly varied repertoire spanning multiple musical eras and genres. Directed by clarinettist Ian Mitchell, the ensemble’s performances feature a diverse selection of chamber music, including twentieth-century, new, and neglected compositions. Gemini is committed to fostering inclusivity, featuring works by women and other underrepresented composers, as well as exploring music from non-Western European traditions.