Pictures of Light – music by William Baines
William Baines is one of those exceptionally gifted composers whose music still remains little known to the general music-loving public.
Deeply rooted in Nature, it shows influences from Debussy, Scriabin, Chopin, Liszt and Ravel and has totally assimilated those exemplars into truly mature and distinguished works all his own. This album includes a number of impressionist piano solos and also the first recording (and first performance) of the Five Songs, presented by veteran tenor Gordon Pullin, who has long been associated with the music of Baines. Duncan Honeybourne has become one of the most sought after of British pianists with a sparkling discography and is totally at home in this picturesque music. This album is produced also in memory of Baines on the centenary of his death.
The album concludes with ‘At the Grave of William Baines’ by fellow Yorkshireman Robin Walker – a fitting tribute by a living composer with similar abilities to draw inspiration from the world around him.
Track Listing
- Paradise Gardens (10:32)
- The Naïad (4:17)
- Silverpoints - I. Labyrinth (2:48)
- Silverpoints - II. Water-Pearls (0:57)
- Silverpoints - III. The Burning Joss-Stick (2:37)
- Silverpoints - IV. Floralia (1:10)
- Tides - I. The Lone Wreck (2:55)
- Tides - II. Goodnight to Flamboro' (3:54)
- The Island of the Fay (5:04)
- Pictures of Light - I. Drift-Light (3:35)(
- Pictures of Light - II. Bursting Flames (1:51)
- Pictures of Light - III. Pool-Lights (1:44)
- Eight Preludes - No. 1 in G (1:17)
- Eight Preludes - No. 2 Ebbing Tide (2:35)
- Eight Preludes - No. 3 Shade-Imagery (1:40)
- Eight Preludes - No. 4 in C (0:36)
- Eight Preludes - No. 5 Wind Sprites (0:47)
- Eight Preludes - No. 6 A Fairy Story (0:52)
- Eight Preludes - No. 7 Lullaby (1:57)
- Eight Preludes - No. 8 Eroica (0:55)
- Five Songs - I. Fountains (1:29)
- Five Songs - II. Fern Song (1:02)
- Five Songs - III. By the Sea (2:36)
- Five Songs - IV. A Lyric (The Vigil) (1:54)
- Five Songs - V. Morning (1:11)
- At the Grave of William Baines (16:06)
William Baines (1899-1922):
Robin Walker (b.1953):
Reviews
“At the keyboard…is Duncan Honeybourne, a musician with an innate understanding of the melodic and structural strengths of Baines’ music. William Baines is an important voice in early twentieth-century British music and he has been well served by this impressive release. The ardent and noble rendering of Robin Walker’s heartfelt homage is a considerable bonus. Highly recommended.
” —Paul Conway
“Honeybourne is both gripping and stylish in his playing throughout these testing compositions. Divine Art have brought this composer out of obscurity, hopefully to reach a bigger audience. Excellent and very helpful notes and texts are supplied by the artists, together with clear and warm sound. This is certainly recommended.
” —David Cutler
“Performed splendidly by Honeybourne, who makes a convincing case for these pieces—and who also wrote the fine program notes. Pullin sings the five songs with fine expression and clear articulation of the words. This album is a bittersweet reminder of a composer whose early compositions showed such promise.
” —Robert A. Moore
“A splendid new disc with inspiring music in glowing recorded sound. The performances are first class and the documentation is superb. This disc is especially interesting because it includes pieces which have never been commercially released before. I defy anyone to hear these new performances of William Baines’s solo piano pieces and not be swept away by the music, the performance and the recording.
” —David Jennings
“This collection reveals a composer of significant talent and an individual voice. Sensitively and colorfully played by Duncan Honeybourne, who also contributes the fine program notes. Excellent recorded sound rounds out the picture.
” —Henry Fogel
“The influences appear multiple, clear but intelligently assumed and combined. From Chopin and Liszt to Scriabin and Debussy but all with something undoubtedly personal, [an] abundance of expression. This album reveals very well how much [of Baines’ music] remains to be heard.
” —Luis Suñén (translated from his Spanish original)
“What a remarkable talent William Baines was… there is a strong sense that he intuitively understood keyboard writing; this is complex yet confident writing. This music is never less than very attractive, certainly individual and always intriguing.
” —Nick Barnard
“Baines is shown here as a miniaturist with harmonic and expressive orientations similar to those of other composers of the early 20th century, such as Debussy and Ravel. His ability to evoke a scene within a few minutes is impressive…expressive and heartfelt, clearly exemplifying its time period.
” —Mark J, Estren
“This album is a wonderful introduction to the imagination, originality and genius of William Baines, brilliantly illuminated by Duncan Honeybourne’s compelling performance. Honeybourne is very much at home in Baines’ picturesque, atmospheric music. And then there is a glittering clarity and multi-layered textures coupled with a gorgeously warm, yet transparent piano sound.
” —Frances Wilson
“A notable CD. This is a very fine new release of music by William Baines (and Robin Walker). It is perfectly executed by all concerned. There is definite enchantment here.
” —John France
“Mr Honeybourne’s playing on this disc is an absolute revelation. Baines’s harmonic language is even more unsettled and searching than the Frenchman’s {(Debussy)}, and at times Scriabin will come to mind. The Five Songs, performed with sensitivity and clarity by Gordon Pullin, are quite a find and in addition this new disc includes a lengthy homage to Baines by Robin Walker in a brilliant and dramatic essay entitled At the Grave of William Baines. This then is a disc which anyone with an interest in British music should snap up.
” —Gary Higginson
“I can say here without the slightest hesitation that this is a rather indispensable offering, exceptional piano music of its time by one we should now re-remember and rejoice to hear… a very original and bold brush of beautiful exceptionality. Bravo.
” —Grego Edwards
“The music of William Baines: fleeting, evanescent, enigmatic, shadowy, suggestive, full of tenderness and longing that leaves one wishing there was so much more of it. The positive recommendation for this CD can only be wholly enthusiastic.
” —Robert McCarney
“This is a precious album. Duncan Honeybourne’s gripping performances reveal a composer of genuine fibre. Regard for nature and belief in inspiration’s flow makes Baines’s music so special.
” —Geoff Brown
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