Rawsthorne and Other Rarities
In one sense this is a sequel to the recent release ‘A Garland for John McCabe’ (DDA 25166) – originally intended as a 2nd disc in that set, but it grew to be a full album in its own right, and is also dedicated to McCabe with first recordings of works by McCabe’s fellow composers. Just as importantly it is a feast of fine music by British and American composers, all (except one very short track) recorded for the first time, including principally music by Alan Rawsthorne – the early and jolly String Quartet in B minor, the Chamber Cantata, and the piano version of the remarkable ‘Practical Cats’.
Clare Wilkinson is receiving rave reviews for her work and is a mezzo with beautiful tone; veteran baritone Mark Rowlinson is the fine reciter of ‘Cats’. John Turner, one of the leading recorder players of today and former member of many world-renowned early-music ensembles, and pianist Peter Lawson, another highly regarded performer who has played with most top British orchestras and has a long and distinguished recording and teaching career, are joined by keyboard maestro Harvey Davies and the very fine Solem Quartet.
Track Listing
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Alan Rawsthorne (1905-1971):
- Chamber Cantata - I. Of a Rose is al myn Song (3:34)
- Chamber Cantata - II. Lenten ys come (2:17)
- Chamber Cantata - III. Wynter Wakeneth al my Care (4:11)
- Chamber Cantata - IV. The Nicht is near gone Halsey Stevens (1908-1989):
- Sonatina Piacevole - I. Allegro moderato (1:52)
- Sonatina Piacevole - II. Poco lento, quasi ciaccona (1:50)
- Sonatina Piacevole - III. Allegro (1:47) Alan Rawsthorne (1905-1971):
- Practical Cats - I. Overture (2:22)
- Practical Cats - II. The Naming of Cats (2:59)
- Practical Cats - III. The Old Gumbie Cat (4:25)
- Practical Cats - IV. Gus, the Theatre Cat (3:48)
- Practical Cats - V. Bustopher Jones (2:32)
- Practical Cats - VI. Old Deuteronomy (3:37)
- Practical Cats - VII. The Song of the Jellicles (1:24) Basil Deane (1928-2006)/Raymond Warren (b.1928):
- The Rose Tree (2:23)
- I am of Ireland (3:04) Ralph Vaughan Williams (19872-1958):
- The Willow Whistle (1:04) Karel Janovický (b.1930):
- The Little Linden Pipe (3:19) Alan Rawsthorne (1905-1971):
- String Quartet in B minor - I. Fugue (molto adagio) (5:00)
- String Quartet in B minor - II. Andante - Allegretto (3:40)
- String Quartet in B minor - III. Molto allegro quasi presto (6:31) Donald Waxman (b.1925):
- Serenade and Caprice (7:33) Arthur Bliss (1891-1975):
- The Buckle (1:12) Malcolm Lipkin (1932-2017):
- The Journey (2:58) David Ellis (b.1933):
- Mount Street Blues (1:59)
Reviews
“Works from perhaps less familiar composers are strong pieces that deserve inclusion in performance and courses of study. For anyone interested in the recorder as a central part of 20th-century and later chamber music, [this is] essential listening.
” —Tom Bickley
“This real hodgepodge of a disc is all the more entertaining for it. The Chamber Cantata.. is an absolute gem. Practical Cats… is an absolute delight, beautifully rendered. Great sound throughout.
” —Guy Rickards
“Bringing together such a terrific group of experienced, and creative musicians as these to this new Rawsthorne project, guarantees that the finished CD would be an excellent addition to the ever-growing catalogue of Rawsthorne recordings available. Alongside the Rawsthorne works, there are also other auditory delights and rarities… this is a fine recording indeed, with a true balance between the Rawsthorne works with the shorter rarities by other composers interspersed.
” —Peter Byrom-Smith
“An album of considerable value. For anyone interested in 20th century British music this is an extremely desirable introduction to one of its still-neglected masters; for Rawsthorne fans, it’s an absolute must.
” —Jim Svejda
“The album is dedicated to John McCabe, Alan Rawsthorne’s biographer and promoter, with first recordings of works by McCabe’s fellow composers, all ably performed by the soloists and ensembles. Many of these terrific mid-century composers have fallen into neglect. Maybe this album will be a step toward restoration.
” —Jack Sullivan
“The cat poems never fail to please. Many modern CDS we review lie unplayed thereafter, but we suspect this is one that, will prove longer lasting in appeal.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“A feast of fine music by British and American composers, including the piano version of [Alan Rawsthorne’s] witty and entertaining ‘Practical Cats’ arranged by Peter Dickinson, which outshines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s settings of the same T.S Eliot poems. Clare Wilkinson is receiving rave reviews for her work and is a mezzo with beautiful tone; veteran baritone Mark Rowlinson is the fine reciter of ‘Cats’. Leading recorder player John Turner and highly regarded pianist Peter Lawson are joined by keyboard maestro Harvey Davies and the excellent Solem Quartet.
” —John Pitt
“RECORDING OF THE MONTH. The playing and the singing by all the performers on this adventurous CD is ideal in every way. I loved Clare Wilkinson’s voice, especially in Rawsthorne’s Chamber Cantata. The Solem String Quartet play with clarity and commitment in the String Quartet. The recording is excellent. All in all, this is an extraordinary disc. RECORDING OF THE MONTH
” —John France
“This disc is fully loaded. Everyone associated with this disc brings both high skill and poignant feeling to this musical treasury. This is a CD that appeals to several constituencies. The liner essay is well worth the read. It’s packed with useful information that enhances the experience.
” —Rob Barnett
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