Edward Cowie – Orchestral Works
Edward Cowie is one of the most individual and notable voices in contemporary music – which he sees as both conscious and unconscious sensitivity to sound. Highly inspired by Nature and our world, he works with sound, colour, order and disorder, shape, pattern and form which he sees as part of a grand unification of sensual input. The two works here are linked by one inspiration: water and its natural environments. Both Concertos, which are each presented in one movement, are highly focussed, dramatic and dynamic, and are important contributions to the 21st century orchestral repertoire.
Alan Hacker overcame a severe disability to become one of Britain’s most respected and gifted soloists and in all his work, whether in the core classics or contemporary arena, showed an ability and musicianship above most others. He accompanies the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, which at the time of this recording was perhaps at one of its peaks of performance. Howard Williams is said by the composer to be the conductor who brings out the most in his music. The pianist in the Concerto for Orchestra is the celebrated Martin Roscoe.
This recording was originally issued on vinyl LP in 1986 (Hyperion) and was warmly received:
‘An absolute tour de force of orchestral colour and energy! The work pulsates with the ocean’s mood changes. Cowie is a true sonic poet of Nature’ – David Cairns (The Observer)
‘Scintillating! Powered by a relentless elemental force- what a triumph!’– William Mann (The Times)
Reviews
“I wish to enthusiastically recommend this superb disc of two exhilarating concertos. Cowie’s Concerto for Orchestra was easily the most vivid example in contemporary music I had encountered at that time. Nor have the passing years diluted its impact – quite the opposite. The spirit of the artist John Ruskin inhabits Cowie’s equally spellbinding Clarinet Concerto No 2. Both performances are outstanding; an enthusiastic RLPO are utterly alert to Howard Williams’ sensitive direction, while Hacker is characteristically magnificent in the Clarinet Concerto, thrilling and hypnotic by turn. Recommended.
” —Richard Hanlon
“Two powerful, concentrated works with the impact of the grandeur and energy of natural forces. Cowie’s forms, harmonic language and rhythmic processes are free and constantly in flux, yet highly organized and disciplined. Masterly.
” —Anonymous Reviewer
“Cowie’s strokes are clear and precise, his expression of sound via the orchestra, confident.
” —Max Christie
“Colourfully orchestrated, elaborate and complex; the two works here stretch tonality to its limits, but are still approachable, with memorable splashes of melodic material. the RLPO under Mr Williams are more than a match for the challenges thrown at them.
”
“Two vivid scores. Concerto for Orchestra bowls me over, searing with energy and intensity. I was gripped throughout. Clarinet Concerto No.2 is a suspenseful and dramatic work… excellent playing from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
” —Colin Anderson
“This CD is my record of the year, so far. This amazing CD presents music that is in the ‘premier division’. Edward Cowie’s work is required listening. The performance of both these works are first-rate. This must be one of the most demanding clarinet concertos in the repertoire: it is certainly one of the best. – recommended.
” —John France
“Vibrant, fiery. The brass and percussion sections don’t hold back, making for an exciting whirlwind of a listen.
” —Freya Parr
“Cowie’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 turns out to be up there among the handful of really worthy such works from the later 20th century… excellent dramatic dialog and a superior harmonic-melodic advancement and expressive daring. The Concerto for Orchestra stands out for its continuous sectional lucidity, its ultra-Modern inventive expression and extraordinary group interplay. Bravo to all concerned!”
” —Grego Edwards
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