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Tempo Flute (France)

In conjunction with the presentation of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in the interview with Philippe Boucly published earlier in this issue, there appears a CD devoted entirely to the piccolo by Natalie Schwaabe, also a member of this orchestra in which she plays the flute as well as the piccolo. All her talent, which is on par with the other members of this prestigious phalanx, is affirmed here in a demanding and daring programme and which brings many new discoveries.

Between these and some other pieces that are already well known this side of the Rhine such as Donatoni’s Nidi (which represents, along with Derek Charke’s Lachrymose, the piccolo solo pieces for this programme, and also serve to demonstrate the expressive character of this instrument) or Mike Mower’s Sonata for Piccolo and Piano, it is truly a celebration of the piccolo, pushed to its virtuoso limits and beautifully served up, as with Gyöngyössi’s Bartok-like Sonata, which could not better suit the instrument, or in Wilden’s poignant, balanced and dreamlike Two and a half piece. Mikalsen’s Huit ilium, inspired by the science-fiction novels of Kurt Vonnegut, brings a narrative flavour, while Kanefzy’s Pied Piper of Hamelin drives the narrative into this programme by associating the story’s narrator with both the small and the big flutes.

—Pascal Gresset

@divineartrecordingsgroup

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On 10 October, Métier is thrilled to present Michael Finnissy: Organ Works from acclaimed American organist Forrest Eimold! Don't miss Paul Hindmarsh's marvelous new piece in Classical Music Magazine on the importance of Britain's Brass Bands. A great primer for our new release, Discovering Wilfred Heaton! 3️⃣ Tracks from the 3 October release, Discovering Wilfred Heaton, are #nowplaying on Apple Music Classical and more! Don't miss both of our new Métier new releases on Deezer's New Classical Picks Playlist! ▶️ Listen now in our bio link. Today, Métier presents a “monumental” (The Wire) 4-disc box set from pianist Ian Pace in commanding performances of music by composer Michael Finnissy (b. 1946). On all platforms today at listn.fm/finnissypiano Métier Records is thrilled to release “Because They Have Songs” from composer Edward Cowie and featuring Gerard McChrystal and Richard Shaw! Out now on all platforms ▶️ listn.fm/becausetheyhavesongs “This monumental piano release features Michael Finnissy’s Verdi Transcriptions plus English Country-Tunes, and other compositions inspired by 19th century music. Soloist Ian Pace is a leading interpreter of Finnissy’s work, and has played his complete output for piano. Finnissy’s output is prolific, political and complex – he’s a leading late modernist.… luxuriant but challenging textures of the school often called new complexity.” —Andy Hamilton, The Wire Marvelous new MusicWeb International review for Edward Cowie: Because They Have Songs, before its release this Friday! “Buller is a composer who knows how to imbue feelings with ample warmth, colour and tension that keep the ear immersed in his sonic worlds. The musical language is largely tonal, with some roots in sacred choral traditions, yet with sufficient harmonic pungency to provide underpinnings of meaning to Leah Lax’s empathetic, urgent texts in the two extended works.… Conspirare, led by founding Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson, respond to all of Buller’s emotional gestures with utmost cohesion and flexibility, and the soloists – basses Michael Hawes and Simon Barrad and soprano Emily Yocum Black – are first-rate.” —Donald Rosenberg, @gramophonemagazine “This performance will stay with me for a long time; it is both exquisitely beautiful and inherently melancholic.” —Edward Breen, Gramophone on Haitham Haidar's #Zaytoun