Highways and Byways: Rarities for Recorder
2024 American Record Guide Critic’s Choice
Highways and Byways: A Double Album of Rarities for Recorder
A seminal contribution to the canon of recorder music, this recording assumes a pivotal role, enriching the repertoire and captivating audiences with its distinct allure and technical prowess. Serving as a valuable resource for connoisseurs of recorder music and an inviting introduction for novices, Highways and Byways features a diverse array of compositions. Through its discerning curation and expert execution, this recording not only commemorates the recorder’s storied legacy but also fosters an appreciation for its enduring elegance and adaptability.
John Turner presents recorder pieces by renowned composers such as Lennox Berkeley, John McCabe, and Thomas Pitfield. Discover rare gems by Igor Stravinsky and Alexander Gretchaninov, alongside a remarkable composition for recorder and two violas by the distinguished American composer William Bergsma.
As a special treat, the album includes two previously unknown pieces by the late Christopher Ball, along with two compositions by John Turner himself, including a homage to Ukraine. It’s a veritable feast of rare and captivating music!
Renowned as one of today’s leading recorder players, John Turner’s illustrious career spans performances with esteemed ensembles like David Munrow’s Early Music Consort of London and recordings with prestigious orchestras worldwide. With over 600 premieres to his credit, including works by Leonard Bernstein and Peter Sculthorpe, Turner’s artistry has left an indelible mark on the contemporary recorder repertoire.
Featuring performances by John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano), Laura Robinson (recorder), Catherine Yates (viola), and Alex Mitchell (viola), “Highways and Byways” is a testament to the dedication of these exceptional musicians.
Track Listing
Part 1
- I. Moderato 4:39
- II. Adagio 2:27
- III. Allegro moderato 2:29
- I. Grave - Prestissimo 1:22
- II. Con Energia 1:11
- III. Cantabile 3:07
- IV. Giocoso e ritmico 1:12
- V. Presto 2:06
- I. Allegro assai 3:07
- II. Adagio 2:33
- III. Fughetta 2:05
- I. Altair 2:39
- II. Deneb 2:49
- III. Vega 6:22
- Lullaby 4:10
- I. Commodo 2:37
- II. Adagio 2:19
- III. Allegro moderato giocoso 1:20
- I. March 1:44
- II. Pavan on three Notes (Hommage à Poulenc) 1:15
- III. Dorian Gavotte 1:57
- IV. Bergamasque 1:14
- V. Second Pavan 1:50
- VI. Little Tarantella 0:48
Lennox Berkeley (1903-1989)
Sonatina, Op. 13
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Wilfred Heaton (1918-2000)
Little Suite
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Peter Pope (1917-1991)
Sonatina No. 2
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
David Butler (b. 1953)
The Summer Triangle
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
John Turner (recorder), Laura Robinson (recorder)
John Locke (1907-1980)
Sonatina
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Thomas Pitfield (1903-1999)
Dancery
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Total playing time 58:10
Part 2
- I. A Sad Pavane 2:16
- II. Hopscotch 2:23
- Domestic Life 3:31
- Sam's Tune 1:58
- I. A Cheerful Little Piece 3:58
- II. Homage to Dvořák 4:23
- The Edgeley Tram 2:59
- Edgeley Fold 3:26
- Concertino, Op. 171 2:28
- I. Pastorale 3:51
- II. Scherzo 1:25
- Conversation Piece 1:25
- Mount Street Blues 1:59
- I. Round Dance 1:28
- II. Sarabande with Doubles 2:19
- III. End-Piece 2:46
- A Little Caribbean 2:40
John Turner (b.1943)
Two Pieces
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
John McCabe (1939-2015)
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Christopher Ball (1936-2022)
Two Pieces
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Peter Hope (b. 1930)
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
David Jepson (1941-2021)
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Alexander Gretchaninov (1864-1956)
John Turner (recorder), Laura Robinson (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
William Bergsma (1921-1994)
Pastorale and Scherzo
John Turner (recorder), Catherine Yates (viola), Alex Mitchell (viola)
Dorothy Pilling (1910-1998)
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
David Ellis (1933-2023)
John Turner (recorder), Stephen Bettaney (piano)
Fipple-Baguette: Three Encores for Solo Recorder, Op. 76
John Turner (recorder)
Thomas Pitfield (1903-1999)
John Turner (recorder)
Total playing time 46:56
Reviews
“The playing is outstanding. All the music here is of interest. What is clear is that this production, overseen by the eminent recorderist John Turner, reveals a wonderful treasure chest of music in the repertoire’s Highways and Byways. Long may these explorations continue.
” —John France
“His [John Turner] playing is reliably solid, sometimes with vibrato, sometimes without, on descant, alto, and tenor recorders. The range and variety of British recorder music is substantial. Much of it is accessible to the amateur performer and though conventional, not boring, as a few minutes spent here will prove.
” —Todd Gorman
“This album of contemporary recorder music is full of surprises. John Turner is a true virtuoso. So consider this a mere sampling of what’s available. And a demonstration of how beautiful and expressive the recorder can sound. The album delivers both in quality and quantity.
” —Ralph Graves
“This is an entertaining collection of…tuneful music designed for the pleasure of recorder players and their audiences…It is pleasant and tonal
” —Henry Fogel
“John Turner, now in his early 80s, keeps recording rare and little-known works by rarely heard or little-known composers. His rate of learning is phenomenal, and his tone quality and virtuosity still shine through. He is a giant in the recorder world, as this twofer clearly demonstrates. All told, the entirely admirable project offers us an opportunity to discover music and composers who have largely gone under the radar. John Turner, aided brilliantly by Stephen Bettaney, has again done us all a great service.
” —Gary Higginson
