Métier Records, the new-music division of the Divine Art group, continues its championing of the work of Edward Cowie with three new albums to be issued in the first half of next year; one is the fourth in Cowie’s celebrated ‘Bird Portraits’ series, inspired by the avian life of Africa; one contains the composer’s three Piano Sonatas, and the third (and first to be released) is a sensational set of improvised pieces for flutes and piano, musical portraits of birds and visual artists, created and realized by Cowie and his collaborator, Australian flautist Laura Chislett. These new recordings which are currently in the process of being made at Ayriel Studios in Whitby are in addition to the release of ‘Rutherford’s Lights’ (an epic piano cycle performed by Richard Casey) and “The Kreutzer Effect” (String Quartet no 7 and works for solo strings) which were announced earlier this year.
Edward Cowie has been described as the greatest living composer inspired by nature, and the recordings of his music issued by Métier over the last couple of years have drawn unstinted praise. Having celebrated his 80thbirthday this summer, he and his artist wife Heather (whose work adorns numerous Métier album covers) are setting off on a new adventure, moving to Australia in November 2023.
“In Two Minds
Catalogue number: MEX 71121
Works: Eight Improvisations for Flutes and Piano
Composers/realisers: Edward Cowie & Laura Chislett
Reecorded at Ayriel Studios Whitby, October 2023
Release date: c. February 2024
Rock Music
Catalogue number: MEX 77123
Composer: Edward Cowie
Performer: Roderick Chadwick (piano)
Works: Piano Sonatas 1-3
TO be recorded early 2024
Release date: summer 2024 to be confirmed
Because they have Songs (Bird Portraits 4)
Catalogue number: MEX 77122
Composer: Edward Cowie
Performers:
Gerard McChrystal (saxophones)
Richard Shaw (piano)
Works: 24 Portraits of the Birds of Africa
Recorded at Ayriel Studios, Whitby, September 2023
Release date: spring 2024 (exact date to be confirmed)
Edward Cowie Discography
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Edward Cowie: Because They Have SongsProduct on salePrice range: £9.99 through £19.50Available 19 September, 2025
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Edward Cowie: Rock MusicPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Birds Talk (by Edward Cowie)Product on salePrice range: £6.95 through £8.95
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Edward Cowie: Rutherford’s LightsPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Edward Cowie: The Kreutzer EffectPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Duo Menurida: In Two MindsPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Edward Cowie: Where the Wood Thrush Forever Sings (Bird Portraits 3)Price range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Edward Cowie: Streams and ParticlesPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Edward Cowie: 24 Preludes for PianoPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Where Song was Born – 24 Australian Bird Portraits by Edward CowiePrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Edward Cowie: Bird PortraitsPrice range: £8.99 through £14.99
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Edward Cowie – Orchestral WorksPrice range: £6.99 through £11.49