CDs
NEW RELEASE
Malcolm Arnold: A Centenary Celebration
We mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Malcolm Arnold’s birth with seven first recordings of arrangements for violin and piano played by Peter Fisher and Margaret Fingerhut.
A prolific composer with a prodigious gift for memorable melodies and technical brilliance, Malcolm Arnold – A Centenary Celebration reflects both the serious and lighter sides of one of the most distinctive voices of post-war British music.
SOMM Music Catalogue No: SOMMCD 0640
Solitaire - Sarabande* (arr. Alan Poulton)
Trapeze - Lola's Theme* (arr. Alan Poulton)
Sonata for Violin and Piano No.1, Op.15
I. Allegretto
II. Andante tranquillo
III. Allegro vivace
Four Scottish Dances, Op. 59* (arr. David Gedge)
I. Pesante
II. Vivace
III. Allegretto
IV. Con brio
More details, track downloads and online sale at SOMM Music
Five Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 84
Prelude
Aubade
Waltz
Ballad
Moto perpetuo
Hobson's Choice Suite* (arr. Alan Poulton)
Sonata for Violin and Piano No.2, Op. 43
Five English Dances (arr. Paul Harris)
No. 1, Set 1, Op. 27
No. 3, Set 1, Op. 27
No. 5, Set 2, Op. 33
No. 6, Set 2, Op. 33
No. 7, Set 2, Op. 33
Thème pour mon Amis* (arr. Alan Poulton)
The Chalk Garden - Madrigal* (arr. Alan Poulton)
Reviews
The novelties on this enjoyable anniversary disc are mostly transcriptions of existing works, though when they’re played as winningly as this, I doubt that many Arnold fans will object to a spot of duplication…Fisher and Fingerhut approach [the two violin sonatas] with lyricism and the vivid sense of character that they bring to everything on this disc. The Five Pieces…benefit from the pair’s playful, up-close approach…the less familiar pieces are beautifully delivered…the final ‘Madrigal’ is such a gorgeous little thing that I replayed it three times in row…
Gramophone - Recommended Recording
A delightful showcase of Malcolm Arnold’s many faces… the arrangements, many recorded for the first time, offer plenty to chew on and enjoy for both performer and listener. Fisher and Fingerhut play with poise and much warmth.
BBC Music
A romp through the wit and wildness of an uncommonly memorable creator…The whole recital is a delight and the performers have earned my gratitude.
Norman Lebrecht, Slipped Disc – Album of the Week
Violinist Peter Fisher plays with verve and commitment, while his partner Margaret Fingerhut rises to every challenge with crisp articulation and tonal richness.
International Piano
…fine album from SOMM…As well as some quite tricky pieces, there are delightful arrangements of popular stuff such as the Scottish Dances, and his music for film. … a real joy.
Mail on Sunday [5*]
All these performances are outstanding: the style impeccable: and a worthy tribute to the centenary.
Musical Opinion [5*]
All the music is splendidly played by violinist Peter Fisher and British music champion Margaret Fingerhut on piano. This is essential listening for all Malcolm Arnold enthusiasts. No more need be said.
MusicWeb International
The performances by Peter Fisher and Margaret Fingerhut, both long-time advocates of British music, could hardly be improved on for sensitivity and insight.
On Record, Arcana.fm
The performers perfectly capture Arnold’s rapid mood changes…musically conceived and beautifully recorded.
British Music Society Journal
Violinist Peter Fisher and pianist Margaret Fingerhut’s centenary celebration of composer Malcolm Arnold has been a pleasing listening experience over the past couple of weeks... In this consistently excellent recording the brilliance of Arnold’s writing is laid bare. Read More
Thoroughly Good
British Serenade
HERITAGE RECORDS
HTGCD 204
Solos with String Orchestra
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE OF LONDON
directed from the violin by Peter Fisher
Michael Butten (solo guitar); Richard Waters (solo viola)
Chris Shrimpton (solo harmonica); Michael Mace (solo cello)
Peter Cigleris (solo clarinet); Peter Fisher (solo violin);
*WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Malcolm Arnold: Serenade for Guitar and Strings Op.50
Clive Jenkins: Romance for Viola and Strings *
Paul Lewis: On Pevensey Levels *
Edward Elgar arr. Levine Andrade: Salut d’Amour Op. 12 *
Paul Carr: Viola Air *
Malcolm Arnold arr. Roger Steptoe: Concertino for Clarinet and Strings Op.29a *
Clive Jenkins: Rhapsody for Harmonica *
Don Shearman: Winter Sunshine *
Clive Jenkins: Cologne *
Malcolm Arnold arr. Philip Lane: Five Pieces for Violin and Strings Op.84a *
Total time: 65.22
Majesty
Majesty - by Clive Jenkins, CEOL's latest recording, is now out from Heritage Records. It is available as a download from Amazon and iTunes.
Clive wrote the piece for a CEOL concert at the V & A to go with an exhibition of photographs of the royal family. Since then, it has been played as the Queen herself led members of the royal family and Knights of the Garter into the Waterloo Chamber at a function in Windsor Castle.
Set in Silver
NEW RELEASE FROM EM RECORDS
This double CD was launched at the English Music Festival on 25th May.
EMRCD032 is a reprint of CEOL's 2006 disc 'English Music for Strings'.
EMRCD033 is all new. Premiere recordings are marked with an asterisk.
Recorded: Coombehurst Studio, Kingston University, 10th and 11th January, 2015
Producer/engineer: Michael Ponder
Editor: Richard Scott.
EMRCD 032
Charles Avison: Concerto in A Op.9 No.11 - ed. Michael Bowie Solo violins: Peter Fisher, Judith Kelly; solo cello: Peter Adams
1. Largo
2. Allegro
3. Adagio
4. Aria (vivace)
5. Henry Purcell: Chacony in G minor for strings – ed. Benjamin Britten
Clive Jenkins: Pastorale & Allegro – solo violin: Peter Fisher
6. Pastorale
7. Allegro
William Walton: Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V
8. Passacaglia: Death of Falstaff
9. Touch Her Soft Lips and Part
10. Paul Lewis: Rosa Mundi
11. John Dankworth: Mariposas
12. Harold Darke: Meditation on Brother James’s Air
13. Nigel Brooks: To My Love (Adagio for Strings)
14. Edward Elgar: Salut d’Amour – arr. Bill Thorp
15. Frank Bridge: A Christmas Dance (Sir Roger de Coverley)
EMRCD033
John Christopher Smith: Overture to “The Fairies”
1. Largo
2. Allegro
3. Menuet andantino
4. March
5. Marsha de Thornley Head: Aria – solo violin: Peter Fisher *
Richard Mudge: Concerto No.5 in B flat major - solo violins: Peter Fisher, Judith Kelly, solo cello: David Cohen
6. Largo
7. Tempo giusto
8. A la sarabanda
9. Allegro
10. John Ireland arr. Graham Parlett: Cavatina– solo violin: Peter Fisher
11. John Ireland arr. Graham Parlett: Bagatelle – solo violin: Peter Fisher *
12. Frederick Delius arr. Clive Jenkins: Légende – solo violin: Peter Fisher *
13. Andrew M Wilson: Tros an Treys *
14. Clive Jenkins: Thames Reflections – solo violin: Peter Fisher, solo cello: David Cohen *
15. Clive Jenkins: Tarte au Citron *
Over Hill, Over Dale
The CD is dedicated to Frances Andrade (1948-2013), a much-loved member of the Ensemble greatly missed.
Clips from Over Hill, Over Dale
From the Classic FM website:
"This beautiful collection of English string music features some real discoveries.
Classic FM Drive Featured Album, 8 July 2013.
The Chamber Ensemble of London is developing quite a reputation for discovering and championing little-known or lost repertoire for string orchestras. Their latest album ranges across the centuries - from Purcell to the present day - to uncover exquisite lost works, including some by towering figures of English music.
Harold Darke's Fantasy in E major for String Orchestra gets a memorable world premiere recording, as does Giles Farnaby's Seven Pieces for String Orchestra. Elgar's tender Elegy for Strings was likely written by the composer on hearing of the death of his great champion, August Jaeger who he had already immortalised as 'Nimrod' in the Enigma Variations. Sir Malcolm Arnold's Concerto for Two Violins and String Orchestra features the Ensemble's director Peter Fisher and Maya Iwabuchi.
A beautifully recorded and performed album with something new for all listeners."
"This is a most enjoyable recital of some generally unfamiliar English string music. The Darke Fantasy is a real discovery. "
More please.
The recorded sound is beautifully resonant and well balanced.
Paul Corfield Godfrey
MusicWeb International
HENRY PURCELL (1698-1695) OVERTURE AND RONDEAU FROM ‘ABDELAZER’ (1695)
1. Overture
2. Rondeau
HAROLD DARKE (1888-1976)
3. FANTASY IN E MAJOR FOR STRING ORCHESTRA, op.39 (1930) Orchestration by Clive Jenkins
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
JOHN IRELAND (1879-1962)
4. THE HOLY BOY Arrangement for cello and strings by Christopher Palmer Cello soloist: Peter Adams
GILES FARNABY (c.1653-1640) SEVEN PIECES FOR STRING ORCHESTRA Arrangement by Sir Granville Bantock
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
5. (i) A Toye
6. (ii) Giles Farnaby’s Dreame
7. (iii) Giles Farnaby’s Conceit
8. (iv) His Rest
9. (v) His Humour
10. (vi) A Maske
11. (vii) Tower Hill
CLIVE JENKINS (*1938) SINFONIETTA FOR STRINGS (2007)
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
12. (i) Allegro non troppo
13. (ii) Moderato
14. (iii) Alla rustica
15. (iv) Allegro
SIR EDWARD ELGAR (1857-1934)
16. ELEGY FOR STRINGS, op.58 (1909)
SIR MALCOLM ARNOLD (1921-2004) CONCERTO FOR TWO VIOLINS AND STRING ORCHESTRA, op.77 (1962)
Soloists: Peter Fisher, Maya Iwabuchi
17. (i) Allegro risoluto
18. (ii) Andantino
19. (iii) Vivace – presto
PETER FISHER (*1962)
20. VARIATIONS ON ‘WIDECOMBE FAIR’ IN THE STYLE OF PAGANINI (2000)
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
Soloist: Peter Fisher
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE OF LONDON, Director: Peter Fisher
Soloists: Peter Fisher and Maya Iwabuchi (violins) and Peter Adams (cello).
English Music for Strings
John France concluded his May 2007 Music Web review:
This is a brilliant CD with a well-balanced programme. The contemporary works are not, as so often, makeweights. In fact the most impressive piece is the Dankworth and the most moving the Brooks. This recording is a fine introduction to the glories of British, or more precisely. English string music. Each and every piece on this CD (...) should be in the repertoire of orchestras and ensembles the length and breadth of this country - if not the Classical World.
"English Music for Strings" Campion Cameo CD 2045 is obtainable from www.dimusic.co.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Clive Jenkins -
clivejenkinsmusic@btinternet.com
or phone 01752 863348
Henry Purcell
Chacony in G minor for strings
Clive Jenkins
Pastorale and Allegro
William Walton
Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V
Paul Lewis
Rosa Mundi
John Dankworth
Mariposas
Harold Darke
Meditation on Brother James’s Air
Nigel Brooks
To My Love (Adagio for Strings)
Edward Elgar
Salut d’Amour
Frank Bridge
A Christmas Dance (Sir Roger de Coverley)