Divine Art Announces Album of Piano Music by Bernard Hughes

Divine Art Recordings Group is delighted that the distinguished English composer Bernard Hughes (b. 1974) has joined the label for an album of his complete (so far) output of works for solo piano. The composer describes the works as “an eclectic collection” which covers a period of over 25 years. The oldest piece dates back to his student years at Oxford and the most recent is a brand new suite (simply named “Suite”) in which Hughes transforms Baroque dance forms into something quirky and new. The rest of the music ranges from the large-scale Strettos and Striations to little occasional pieces written for the composer’s children. The album represents the culmination of many years of collaboration between Hughes and the pianist Matthew Mills, who commissioned and will premiere the new Suite. The recording is to be made in the spring of 2022 in Belgrade and is scheduled for release in the autumn of next year.

Bernard Hughes studied music at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford and Goldsmiths College, London. He received a Ph.D in composition from Royal Holloway College and was then appointed as Composer-in-Residence at St. Pauls’ School.  Bernard’s music has been widely performed and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and across Europe.  His latest commission Birdchant was chosen to receive its premiere by the BBC Singers at the 2021 Proms; he has composed operas, choral and vocal works as well as piano music, to great acclaim.  A recording of his choral music was issued on Signum Classics in 2016, and will be followed by a further choral album in 2022 on Delphian Records.

Matthew Mills is an established pianist and himself an accomplished composer and also the founder and owner of publishing company Wild Woods Music which includes Bernard Hughes amongst its roster of composers. He now lives in Montenegro.

‘Bagatelles’ (DDA 25231)*

Composer: Bernard Hughes

Artist: Matthew Mills

Works

Suite (in 7 movements)
O du liebe meine liebe
Bagatelles (12 movements)
Beginner’s Guide to Boiling a Nourishing Egg
Strettos and Striations
Miniatures (12 movements)
Song of the Walnut
Song of the Button
Three Studies
Cradle Song

Duration:  approx. 79 minutes

*Working title – not finalized