Announcing Ian Stephens: Chamber Music

Divine Art will be adding another exceptionally talented composer to its roster soon. To be recorded later this year, the new album is a celebration of the chamber music of Devon-born composer Ian Stephens, who has made a name for himself with acclaimed works for choir, orchestra, brass band and small ensemble. A cellist himself, his deep love for string instruments shines through in these five pieces; his music has been described as containing “a fathomless richness of harmony, sumptuous depth of orchestration.” 

The world-class Fitzwilliam String Quartet is joined by two outstanding guests, clarinettist Mandy Burvill and oboist Jonathan Small, in recordings of two string quartets, a clarinet quintet, an oboe quintet and a duo for clarinet and cello. 

Born in Sidmouth, Devon, Ian studied music at Bristol University, and is based near Liverpool. His music has been performed by ensembles including the Brodsky Quartet, Choir of King’s College Cambridge, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Ballet Sinfonia, Salisbury Cathedral Choir and Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4. He is active as a workshop leader, cellist and double bassist, and is a Composition Tutor at Chetham’s School of Music and a mentor for the Rushworth Young Composer scheme.

For more detail on the composer visit www.ianstephens.net

Ian Stephens: Chamber Music DDA 25237

• Springhead Echoes (for string quartet)
• North Country (for string quartet)
• Clarinet Quintet
• Oboe Quintet
• Celtic Elegy (for clarinet and cello)

Artists

• Mandy Burvill (clarinet)
• Jonathan Small (oboe)
• Fitzwilliam String Quartet: Lucy Russell & Andrew Roberts, violins, Alan George, viola; Heather Tuach, cello

The recording is being done in two sessions, both at Wyastone Leys concert hall in Monmouth. The first is 17-18 December 2022, the second is March or April 2023, to be confirmed.