Half Monk – Half Rascal

Vocal Music by Francis Poulenc

Danish National Vocal Ensemble conducted by Stephen Layton

Catalogue Number: 8.226906 • UPC 0636943690628 • UK Distribution via Select

Dealer Price: £8.69             Release Date March 26^th 2012

Tracklisting

Sept Chansons (La blanche neige; A peine défigurée; Par une nuit nouvelle; Tous les droit; Belle et ressemblante; Marie; Luire); Quatre petites priers de Saint François d’Assise (Salut; Tout puissant ; Seigneur, je vous en prie; O mes très chèrs frères); Ave verum corpus;  Un soir de neige (De grandes cuillers de neige; La bonne neige; Bois meurtri; La nuit, le froid, la solitude); Laudes de Saint Antoine de Padoue (O Jesu; O proles; Laus Regi; Si quaeris); Chansons françaises (Margoton va t’à l’iau; La belle se sied; Pilons l’orge; Clic, Clac, dansez sabots; C’est la petit’ fill’ du prince; La belle si nous étions; Ah! Mon beau laboureur; Les tisserands); Chanson à boire

Product & Repertoire Information

OUR Recordings is proud to announce the release of this recording of marvellous music by Francis Poulenc, which is standard repertoire for all professional choirs. For this disc Stephen Layton and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble put together a program representing both Poulenc`s secular and sacred choral music.

Poulenc was a man of contradictions. The traditionalists called him a modernist, the modernists called him old-fashioned. The contradictions were most glaring – a declared homosexual and devout Catholic in the first half of the twentieth century, very courageous indeed!

He wrote modern music but couldn’t help creating melodies. That was to be both his good fortune and his misfortune. He understood how to write for both instruments and voices, and his music is today regarded as belonging to the highest echelons of 20^th Century composition – not just in France but all over the world. He draws upon influences of Haydn and Mozart with the addition of a little Stravinsky, a little folk music, a little jazz, and a good deal of Parisian café music.  He wrote no symphonies or piano sonatas – though he was a talented pianist – and created his own interesting instrumental ensembles and combinations. He wrote some of the best loved and most performed wind music of the 20^th century. Generally though, he is regarded as being at his very best in his profoundly original operas, in piano pieces and of course in his vocal music.

Artist Information

Conductor Stephen Layton was born 1966, the son of a church organist. As a child, he was a chorister at Winchester Cathedral, and received scholarships to Eton College and later King’s College, Cambridge as an organ scholar. In 1986, while still a student, Layton founded the mixed-voice choir Polyphony and in 1993 he was appointed the musical director of the Holst Singers.

Layton’s subsequent appointments include principal guest conductor of the Danish National Choir (1999), chief conductor of the Netherlands Chamber Choir (2002), Fellow and Director of Music of Trinity College, Cambridge (2006) and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia (2010).

Layton guest conducts widely and has worked with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Academy of Ancient Music, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. A champion of new music, Layton has premiered new repertoire by many composers, including Arvo Pärt, Thomas Ades, James Macmillan, John Tavener, Colin Matthews, Morten Lauridsen and Ugis Praulins.

Stephen Layton’s eclectic discography encompasses a vast range of repertoire, composers and genres, and has received numerous awards, including Gramophone Award and the Diapason d’Or in France for best choral disc, two Grammy Nominations and the Spanish CD Compact Award.

In January 2007 the choral landscape in Denmark was radically changed when DR (Danmarks Radio) unveiled an ambitious project: the launch of the newly established Danish National Vocal Ensemble. The new ensemble consists of a core membership of 18 singers, however when the music so requires, they are joined by their colleagues in the Danish National Choir/DR.

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble is fast establishing themselves as one of the world’s most innovative choral groups, offering creative, thematic programming. The unique philosophy of having a flexible membership has opened up a wide range of repertoire and performing possibilities, focusing increasingly on the masterworks of the Baroque and contemporary works by Danish and Nordic composers.

The choir has sung opera at the Royal Opera as well as sacred music from the Baroque with Concerto Copenhagen, and has toured Europe performing with several continental orchestras, including the NDR Orchestra in Hamburg, the Malmö Symphony Orchestra and the Bergen Philharmonic. While their primary base of operation is Copenhagen, the choir has toured extensively throughout Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany and Poland, as well as giving concerts in London and St. Petersburg. Prior to their recent restructuring, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble performed under the direction of Stephen Layton from 1999- 2011 and as of May 2011, Olof Boman has assumed leadership as the ensemble’s principle conductor.

Further Information

“Half Monk, Half Rascal” will be fully serviced to press and advertising will include the main classical music magazines. Further advertising is planned in due course. For a review copy and any further information, please contact John Cronin at Music & Media Consulting.

This CD “half Monk – Half Rascal”  follows the release of the highly praised disc entitled “The Nightingale – New Nordic Music for Recorder and Choir” (released in late2011) with Michala Petri and Danish National Vocal Ensemble, also conducted by Stephen Layton. One further CD is planned for late 2012/early 2013.

The Nightingale – New Nordic Music for Recorder and Choir

Catalogue Number: 6.220605 • UPC 747313160563 • UK Distribution via Select

Dealer Price: £8.69                            Release Date November 28^th 2011

Half Monk; Half Rascal - Press Release - March 2012 (131.0 KiB)

Sviatoslav Richter – Beethoven Piano Sonatas

RRC1384 [Bar code 5055031313846]

UK Dealer Price – £2.70

Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op. 13 Pathetique; Piano Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 The Tempest; Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 Appassionata

Regis presents three of Beethoven’s most popular piano sonatas played by the incomparable Sviatoslav Richter, available at super budget price.

‘The Appassionata performance seems to me to be supremely satisfying; for sheer boldness of interpretation and brilliance of piano playing it makes one gasp.’ Gramophone

Beethoven Complete Music for Cello & Piano – Pierre Fournier & Friedrich Gulda

RRC2092 [Bar code 5055031320929]

UK Dealer Price – £5.25

Truly phenomenal performances by two formidable Beethoven interpreters at the top of their game. Fournier’s aristocratic cello playing is beautifully matched by Gulda’s improvisatory approach to the

piano line. 2CDs at super budget price.

‘The combination of French clarity and elegance and Viennese intelligence and humanity in these artists results in interpretations which avoid all self-conscious earnestness and hieratic pose (the bane of all

Beethoven performance) but achieve maturity, freshness and subtlety. Rarely have two artists formed a more sensitive team.’ Gramophone

Shostakovich Cello Concerto & Violin Concerto

Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) Philadelphia Orchestra Eugene Ormandy (conductor); David Oistrakh (violin) Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra Evgeny Mravinsky (conductor)

RRC1385 [Bar code 5055031313853]

UK Dealer Price – £2.70

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107/Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99

David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich perform concertos by Shostakovich with distinguished accompaniment given by the Leningrad Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestras respectively. Both performances are benchmark recordings against which all newcomers are judged. Available at super budget price.

‘It would be impossible to over-praise Rostropovich’s performance of the solo part, which combines phenomenal technique with the complete musical understanding one expects of a soloist who has had the advantage of working with the composer. What is more, Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra accompany him magnificently.’ Gramophone of Cello Concerto

Mozart Piano Concertos – Alfred Brendel and Walter Klein (pianos)Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Paul Angerer (conductor)

RRC1388 [Bar code 5055031313884]

UK Dealer Price – £2.70

Piano Concerto No. 17 K453; Piano Concerto No. 10 in E flat major for Two Pianos K365; Sonata in D major for two pianos, K.448

Brendel’s Mozart credentials are very much in evidence in these performances. The 17th concerto was highly acclaimed when it first appeared on the Vox label in the 1960s and it is arguable that his collaboration with Walter Klein in recording the concerto and sonata for two pianos has never been surpassed.

‘What is at once astonishing and delightful about these performances is that the constant technical problem of ensemble between the two pianos is never allowed to take precedence over the business of music-making. Some of the rival versions of the concerto may in fact keep even more impeccably together, but none presents us with such consistently beautiful—and meaningful— phrasing.’ Gramophone of Concerto for Two Pianos

Joan Sutherland – A Portrait

RRC3013 [Bar code 5055031330133]

UK Dealer Price – £5.25             3 CDs for the price of 2

CD1: Sutherland Sings Handel: CD2: Sutherland sings Verdi and Bellini: CD3: The Art of the Prima Donna

Regis presents a tribute to the incomparable soprano Joan Sutherland. Her artistry is showcased in three CDs of varied repertoire. The first displays her Handelian credentials, the second features the arias of

Verdi and Bellini which established her reputation and the third presents the principal tracks from her incredibly successful solo albums, The Art of the Prima Donna Vols.1 & 2.

‘In her own time there was a tendency to take Sutherland for granted, so consistent were her high standards of technique, musicianship and, yes, acting. Her total command of the stage was always formidable.’ Gramophone

Gershwin Orchestral Works

RRC1386

[Bar code 5055031313860]

UK Dealer Price – £2.70

Rhapsody in Blue/Piano Concerto in F Eugene List (piano)/Eastman Rochester Symphony Orchestra/Howard Hanson (conductor)

An American in Paris Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra/Antal Dorati (conductor)

Idiomatic performances of three of Gershwin’s most popular orchestral works presented at super budget price.

‘Eugene List hammers out the piano part with tremendous skill and conviction, at times handling its bravura moments with very great brilliance indeed.’ Gramophone of Concerto

Shostakovich Symphony No.11

Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra/Yevgeny Mravinsky (conductor)

RRC1387 [Bar code 5055031313877]

UK Dealer Price – £2.70

Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 ‘The Year 1905’

The sheer insight Mravinsky brings to Shostakovich’s music is ever present in this recording of the composer’s flag waving symphony. Available at super budget price.

*New CD Release Information from Regis Records - February 2012 (862.0 KiB)

Artist(s)

Composer:                   Haydn

Title:                            Haydn à l’anglaise

Catalogue No:              NI6174 [0710357617423]

Discs:                          1CD Standard Case

UK PPD:                      £8.70

UK Release Date:         26^th March 2012

Caf€ Mozart Press Release (74.5 KiB)

Tracklisting

Ballad (Duet): The fleeting Hours; Ballad: Morning; Song: Love in Return; Canzonetta: Sailor’s Song; Rondo [Haigh]; Song: Too late, Mother; Song: An old Story; Song: Contentment; Song: The manly Heart; Ballad: Youth and Beauty; Song: The Comforts of Inconstancy; Variations [Haigh]; Ballad: Werter’s Sonnet; Song: The Knotting Song; Ballad: Peace and Content; Canzonetta: My Mother bids me bind my Hair; Rondo [Haigh]; Song: Molly Carr; Ballad: Evening; Song: Life is a Dream

Repertoire Information

This highly intriguing CD shows Haydn in a truly unique manner. Featuring Haydn’s songs as edited by William Shield, ‘Ballads’ adapted from his instrumental music by Samuel Arnold and Rondos on his Canzonettas by Thomas Haigh.

Of the twenty tracks, no fewer than eighteen are world premieres. The CD comprises 9 songs, 6 “ballads”, 2 Canzonettas and 3 keyboard solos by Haydn’s pupil Thomas Haigh ‘of Manchester’, based on music by Haydn, to whom they are in part dedicated. All the vocal items are sung in English, mostly to the texts that had been published in the 1780s prior to Haydn’s arrival in 1791.

In 1781 Haydn published his first collection of songs: XII Lieder für das Clavier…1ster Theil. The respected composer William Shield “adapted” these to English words under the title: Twelve Ballads, Composed by the celebrated Haydn of Vienna, the original accompaniments “for the Harpsichord or Piano Forte” remaining virtually unchanged. This English edition appeared in 1786. Another highly regarded composer, Dr Samuel Arnold, issued a collection of Twelve English Ballads in 1787, “the Music the undoubted Composition of HAYDN, The Words selected and adapted to his Works by Dr Arnold”

Two of the texts, for reasons given in the 24 page booklet, are new translations by Derek McCulloch. Two others are sung to the original texts, before they had been set by Haydn to German translations. Neither Haydn nor the English publishers will have been aware of the provenance of those two texts.

Those songs that describe themselves as “ballads” will have come as something of a surprise to Haydn, if he ever heard them. Indeed they were originally not songs at all, but are instrumental music “adapted to English words”, in fact poetry by the leading figures in 18^th century England.

Two of Haydn’s most popular English ‘canzonettas’ of the mid-1790s, The Sailor’s Song and My Mother bids me bind my Hair, lead seamlessly into adaptations for solo piano or harpsichord by Thomas Haigh, played on a square piano of c1798. All the instruments used are period instruments.

Performers

The star-studded cast of Caf€ Mozart comprises some of the most prominent names in the field of early music, both nationally and internationally, Emma Kirkby (soprano), Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor), Jenny Thomas (flute), Ian Gammie (guitar), Alastair Ross (square piano) and Derek McCulloch (proprietor). Caf€ Mozart was founded by Derek McCulloch in 1985 to explore the repertoire of the late 18th century for performances with period instruments. The group performs up and down UK in venues of all shapes and sizes, and also in Austria and Germany. The main focus of Caf€ Mozart’s work is that of “Haydn in England” and his association with other English composers in the 1790s. CDs include Goethe & the Guitar, with an award from the British Academy, Hail Windsor, Crown’d with lofty Towers: music written in or for the royal town of Windsor in the 18th century, and Haydn & The Earl of Abingdon for Naxos. Engagements have included a concert tour of Haydn’s Burgenland in Austria and the International Early Music Festival in the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Emma Kirkby’s specialism, singing with historical instruments and vocal ensembles, has taken her all over the world, in concerts and recordings. She has contributed to a new awareness of singing styles and repertoire beyond the mainstream of large halls and opera houses, and of the rewards to be found in ensemble, rhetoric and stillness. Emma was made a Dame in 2007, and awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2011. The Haydn project, reuniting her with colleagues of many years’ standing, has been a pure delight.

Rogers Covey-Crump is a doyen among early music singers, be it as a superb Evangelist in Bach’s great Passions or with the world-famous Hilliard Ensemble. He is used to singing to capacity audiences in major venues throughout the world, including to 2000 people in a packed St Paul’s Cathedral, where the Hilliards were performing with the Norwegian-Polish saxophonist Jan Garbarek. His discography on the Internet comprises some 210 recordings, just a few of them with Caf€ Mozart.

Jenny Thomas is interested in all sorts of flutes. She has recorded for radio and TV in UK, Austria, Germany and Hungary and played in many period orchestras, including the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists, Marches Baroque, Brandenburg Baroque Soloists, and the Corelli, Grenser and Sweelinck Ensembles. She has made numerous recordings of 18th century music, both with Caf€ Mozart and with her own Windsor Box&Fir Co, including CDs of music from Jane Austen’s music collection

Ian Gammie has played and recorded throughout the world, notably with the English Consort of Viols, but also with a whole host of ensembles, including the Deller Consort, the Cambridge Baroque Camerata and the Sweelinck Ensemble, primarily as a bass viol player. In addition, he is a widely known performer on the lute and early and modern guitar forms, as well as being an authority on such diverse figures as the guitar-loving Samuel Pepys and the Irish poet/balladeer Thomas Moore.

Alastair Ross started his musical career as Organ Scholar in New College, Oxford in the 1960s. In the intervening years he has established himself as one of the country’s foremost continuo players and as a solo harpsichordist with a particular affection for JS Bach. As well as researching repertoire and playing for the Concerto delle Donne (three sopranos and keyboard), he frequently plays with Harry Christophers’ Orchestra of The Sixteen on their annual UK Choral Pilgrimage, and in 2011 was their soloist in a performance of Handel’s organ concerto Op 4/4 at the famous ‘Proms’ in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Derek McCulloch studied singing in Stuttgart in the 1960s, and was at that time Germany’s only countertenor. Shortly after his return he was appointed alto lay-clerk at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and appeared regularly on sound radio, television and recordings as soloist with such conductors as Roger Norrington and Helmuth Rilling, including in the Flanders Festival and the Aldeburgh Festival. He wrote his doctoral thesis (1990) on Aristocratic Composers in the 18th Century and continues to explore neglected repertoires of the late 18th century, especially ‘minor’ composers in England and the German-speaking area.

Marketing and Promotion

Caf€ Mozart will be performing selections from “Haydn à l’anglaise” on Friday 30^th March 2012 from 5pm to 7pm at the Divinity School, Bodleian Library, Oxford to accompany a Proscholium exhibition of early Haydn editions and manuscripts, preceded by a lecture by Dr. Derek McCulloch. Admission is free but tickets must be booked in advance via The Administrator, Friends of the Bodleian (01865-277234 or fob@bodleian.ox.ac.uk ).

A further performance will take place on Thursday May 3^rd at 1pm in the Concert Hall at Manchester University.

“Haydn à l’anglaise” will be fully serviced to press and advertising will include the main classical music magazines. Further advertising is planned in due course. For a review copy and to enquire about interview opportunities, please contact John Cronin at Music & Media Consulting.

Artist(s):                 Wissam Boustany with Stefan Warzycki (piano)

Title:                       Sounds from Within

Catalogue No:       NI6166 [07103357616624]

Discs:                     1CD/standard Jewel Case

UK PPD:                 £8.70

UK Release:           March 26^th 2012

Invisible World Press Release (81.3 KiB)

Frank Martin: Ballade for flute & piano; Simon Holt: Maiastra for solo flute; Béla Bartók: Suite Paysanne Hongroise; Wissam Boustany: Improvisation for flute; Bohuslav Martinu: First Sonata for flute & piano

Artist(s):                 Wissam Boustany with Peter Manning & Stephen Morris (violins), Philip Dukes (viola), Tim Hugh (cello), Mary Scully (double bass), Steven Devine (cembalo)

Title:                       Vivaldi’s Children

Catalogue No:       NI6167 [07103357616723]

Discs:                     1CD/standard Jewel Case

UK PPD:                 £8.70

UK Release:           March 26^th 2012

Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto No. 1 “La Tempesta”; Concerto No. 2 “La Notte”; Concerto No. 3 “Il Gardellino”; Concerto No. 4; Concerto No. 5; Concerto No. 6

Artist(s):                 Wissam Boustany with National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine conducted by Volodymyr Sirenko

Title:                       Mirror of Eternity

Catalogue No:       NI6168 [07103357616822]

Discs:                     1CD/standard Jewel Case

UK PPD:                 £8.70

UK Release:           March 26^th 2012

Aram Khatchaturian: Flute Concerto; Houtaf Khoury: Mirror of Eternity; Yevhen Stankovych: Chamber Symphony No. 3Artist(s):                 Wissam Boustany with Nigel Clayton (piano) and Gabriella Dall’Olio (harp)

Title:                       Wandering Winds

Catalogue No:       NI6169 [07103357616921]

Discs:                     1CD/standard Jewel Case

UK PPD:                 £8.70

UK Release:           March 26^th 2012

Tarek Younis: Rising from the ashes; Bach-Gounod: Ave Maria; Beclard d’ Harcourt (arr.): Chants Peruviens; Hamilton Harty: In Ireland Fantasy; Boghos Gelalian: Quatre Jeux; K. Yamada (arr. Yashiro): Lullaby from the Chugoko area; Jacques Ibert: Entr’Acte; Sakura Sakura: trad Song arr. Yashiro; Anon.: El Quintapesares; El Frutero; El Cameleon; C. Bonet: La Partida; Gustavo Samela (adapt.): Balletico de Procesion; Anon: Camino Pelao

Wissam Boustany’s international career as a concert artist and teacher has taken him to South and North America, Europe and the Middle and Far East. In 1995 Boustany founded Towards Humanity, an international initiative which uses music as a catalyst to support humanitarian projects on an international scale. Born in Lebanon, Boustany began his musical studies with his stepfather. He moved to Britain in 1977 where he studied at Chetham’s School of Music & the Royal Northern College of Music, with Trevor Wye. He has received many awards, notably the Silver Medal in the 1982 Madeira International Flute Competition and (in the same year) the woodwind prize in the Royal Overseas League Competition. He received the silver medal in the Shell/LSO competition and won the 2^nd prize in the woodwind section of the first BBC Young Musician of the Year. In 1997 he was awarded a knighthood by the Lebanese government (Chevalier de l’Ordre du Cedre) in recognition of his music and peace work. On 3rd February 1998 he was presented with the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Wissam continues to use his music as a powerful healing force to ‘open the doors of inspiration between people and nations, and help us reflect on our common humanity’. He is Professor of Flute at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. For more information: www.wissamboustany.com

Wissam Boustany Catalogue Reissues (124.1 KiB)

Towards Humanity

Towards Humanity is an enduring, non-political initiative, taking the form of high-profile concerts, which support a peaceful resolution to conflict, as well as providing a focus for peace organizations and humanitarian work. The founder is international flautist, Wissam Boustany, who grew up in war-torn Beirut. In his own words: “Music opens the doors of inspiration between people and nations, and helps us reflect on our common humanity…”

This multi-decade, multi-media initiative combines the energies of musicians, humanitarian organizations, international media networks and influential companies, inspiring a global co-operation for peace outside of the political arena. The inaugural event took place at the Royal Albert Hall, London on February 2nd 1995; its purpose was to provide a platform for peace in the Middle-East and – on a practical level – aimed to raise £20,000 for each of five charities in Beirut, Amman, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Cairo. Since then, numerous concerts, master classes and musical initiatives have successfully raised funds for many countries.

In 1997 Wissam was awarded a knighthood by the Lebanese government (Chevalier de l’Ordre du Cedre) in recognition of his music and peace work. On 3rd February 1998 he was presented with the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. During this period Towards Humanity also released two CD recordings, “Wandering Winds” and “Vivaldi’s Children” incorporating the Towards Humanity concept and principles. This current recording will eventually be used as a catalyst for projects relating to visually impaired people around the world.

For more information please visit www.towardshumanity.org

List of beneficiaries of aid from Towards Humanity

Egypt: Right to Live Association; Jordan: Al Hussein Society; Lebanon: National School for the Blind & Deaf

West Bank: Library on Wheels; Israel: Peace Child; Kazakhstan: Almaty School for the Blind; Kosovo: Refugees; Worldwide: SOS International Children’s Villages

MSV28528 John Ramsay – String Quartets performed by The Fitzwilliam String Quartet

John Ramsay is a Professor of Geology by profession but also a highly talented composer of chamber and orchestral works. These four quartets are excellent examples of post-modernist music, employing no artificial boundaries. They are extremely accessible and highly deserving of attention – beautifully played by The Fitzwilliam Quartet. A real discovery is instore for lovers of the string quartet idiom.

28528 John Ramsay String Quartets Press Release (109.2 KiB)

MSV28526 Christopher Fox “Natural Science” performed by Trio Scordatura

This new recording features compositions by cutting-edge contemporary composer, Christopher Fox, and explores a cross section of his compositions. The works of Christopher Fox have been featured on a number of Métier Recordings. Works for Soprano & Piano (MSV92031); Music for Solo Piano (MSV92022); Music for Solo Cello (MSVCD92059); Clarinet Quintet (MSVCD92082); Catalogue Irraisoné (MSVCD92103).

Christopher Fox - Natural Science Press Release (60.9 KiB)

MSV28527 Paul Pellay “Thesaurus of Violinistic Fiendishness” performed by Peter Sheppard Skærved

The works of Paul Pellay have been performed all over the world by a wide range of artists including the Kreutzer Quartet, the Nash Ensemble, the City of London Sinfonia, and the Britten Sinfonia. Conductors who have championed his music include Edward Gregson, Elgar Howarth, Lionel Friend, Richard Hickox, Nicholas Cleobury, Roger Smalley, Ron Spigelman and Alan Balter. He has been active as a freelance music editor, working with various composers and publishers.

Whilst the title reflects the difficulties of performing this mammoth work for solo violin, it does not convey the listening experience, which is less challenging than one might expect – indeed many sections of the work are quite lyrical and full of wit as well as virtuosic complexity. Performed with his usual panache and awesome skill by Peter Sheppard Skærved.

Paul Pellay Violin Music Press Release (64.3 KiB)

Now Available Again

These two classic discs have not previously been available for full trade distribution, and both demonstrate the tremendous virtuosity of pianist Peter Katin. Released at standard mid-price in the UK (Dealer Price £5.55) they are available from 12^th March 2012.

As usual, just let me know which samples you would like and I’ll mail on a first come, first served basis. Interviews can be arranged with key artists quite easily and quickly if you are interested.

Peter Katin RP001 & RP002 - Now Available Again - Press Release (72.4 KiB)

I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Review copies are available now.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 at 7.45 pm

Purcell Room at the Queen Elizabeth Hall

The Instrumental Quintet of London

Susan Milan flute, Nicholas Ward violin, Matthew Jones viola,

Sebastian Comberti cello and Ieuan Jones harp

Quintette op 2 J M Damase

Quartet in C KV 285b flute and string trio W A Mozart

Trio in C minor op 9 string trio L van Beethoven

Sonate en trio flute, viola and harp C Debussy

Concert à Cinque J Jongen

Tickets £15. Concessions available.

Enquiries: South Bank Ticket Office (9am-8pm) on 0844 875 0073.

Press Tickets can be obtained via the box office or from:

John Cronin – Music & Media Consulting Limited

44-(0)1354-740847 (tel/fax)

44-(0)7774-426966 (mobile)

john@musicandmediaconsulting.com

Instrumental Quintet at Purcell Room 28th Feb 2012 (65.3 KiB)

Re-discovering one of the stars of British light music

In April 2012, Divine Art Records will release a new CD on its Diversions label devoted to the exquisitely crafted light orchestral music of Herman Finck.  This album which was originally due for issue in 2007 is the sequel to The Monckton Album (Diversions ddv24110) which has been highly successful and was included in Gramophone’s Critics Choice for 2004 having been included in the ‘Christmas stocking’ of two of the reviewers.  As with the previous disc, the music is performed by the Bel Etage Theatre from Tallinn, Estonia, a company which specialises in Edwardian English operetta, under its conductor and lead baritone Mart Sander and featuring female vocalists Pirjo Levandi and Kelli Uustani.

Finck is one of many musicians whose style has become (according to the orthodox fashion) out of date, and whose name, once known by every household, has been almost forgotten. He was born in London on 4 November 1872; his baptismal name was in fact Hermann Van Der Finck, his parents being Dutch immigrants.

Finck began his musical training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1900 (at the still early age of 28) he joined the Palace Theatre, where he served as Musical Director until the late 1920s. The Palace was famous not only for its orchestra, but for the Palace Girls, a group of beautiful singing and dancing ladies, for whom Finck composed numerous dances, among them Hullo, Girls!. The most famous of these was originally a vocal number called Tonight, which became a top hit under the title In the Shadows. This remains his best known work due its being one of the last pieces played aboard the Titanic. Whilst at the Palace, Finck was also a principal conductor at the Drury Lane Theatre, and he made recordings of many of his own works and arrangements with the two theatre orchestras for the Columbia Graphophone Company.

Finck’s compositions included about thirty stage shows, two of which are represented on the new CD – the ballet My Lady Dragonfly and the operetta Decameron Nights, a superbly written piece which has not been played since 1923.  Revues such as The Passing Show and Round the Map were very popular with variety theatre audiences, while his songs and light orchestral pieces were among the best known tunes of their day. Examples on the new album include Queen of the Flowers and Gilbert the Filbert aka The K-Nuts, included in a medley specially arranged for this recording by Mart Sander. The Palace also proudly presented the ballerina Anna Pavlova in her first ever English performance – Finck dedicated his lovely orchestral piece Pirouette to her.

Finck was also a very talented arranger, and one of his most popular works was a medley of music-hall and light classical tunes  called Melodious Memories; his recording of this piece sold very well and it was a staple in many of the famous London tea-rooms  which boasted  a resident ‘palm court’ orchestra.

It is easy to underestimate the position and influence which this almost-forgotten figure enjoyed in his heyday.  He is described in The Music Hall & Theatre History Website as “One of the wittiest men in London. He was of medium height, inclined to stoutness, dark, with luxuriant dark hair parted in the middle … he was never at a loss for a joke.”  He was also highly regarded among the top musicians of his day including Sir Thomas Beecham and was a special favourite of the Royal Family, especially King George V.  Finck was musical director of the very first Royal Command Performance, held on 1 July 1912 at the Palace Theatre, and led a cast featuring all of the top British music-hall and variety performers of the day including Harry Lauder, Vesta Tilley and George Robey – along with the Palace Girls of course. The exception was Marie Lloyd, whose act was considered too risqué for the King and Queen!  This pioneering show saw the theatre decorated with three million roses; the proceeds were donated to the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.

Also in 1912, a concert was held at Drury Lane to which the King brought his cousin Kaiser Wilhelm, only two years before their respective countries went to war.  In the Shadows was included in the programme at the specific request of the King, who had become quite a fan. It was ironic that Finck experienced a ‘right royal embarrassment’ in front of the King at a charity event held at Buckingham Palace Riding School. The orchestra was playing Melodious Memories while the audience of titled personages awaited the King’s arrival;  just as the Royal party entered the theatre, the orchestra  reached that part of the medley called Hush, Hush, Hush, Here Comes the Bogey Man!

Finck continued to enjoy success throughout the 1930s, while light music as a genre was still at the height of popularity. His autobiography, also entitled My Melodious Memories, was published by Hutchinson in 1937 and is a witty and entertaining résumé of a different world of entertainment to that we know today. He never saw the decline and near-death of variety and light music, as he died shortly before the outbreak of World War II, on 21 April, 1939.   A new generation is beginning once again to appreciate the gentle joy of British light music and to rediscover composers such as Finck, Albert Ketelbey, Hubert Bath, Lionel Monckton and others.

The Finck Album

Diversions  DDV 62402

Kelli Uustani and Pirjo Levandi  (sopranos) & Mart Sander (baritone)

The Bel Etage Theatre Orchestra conducted by Mart Sander

Upper-mid price; CD duration 67.54

UK release April 16, 2012

TRACK LIST:

1.         Cheerio!  Orchestra (1.58)

2.         In the Shadows  Kelli Uustani (4.06)

3.         Hullo, Girls!  Orchestra (2.43)

4.         My Waltz Queen  Mart Sander (3.22) *

5.         Jocoso  Orchestra  (2.48)

6.         Dear Old Fighting Boys  Kelli Uustani & Mart Sander (3.11)

7.         Pirouette (dedicated to Anna Pavlova) Orchestra (2.54)

8.         Venetia (from Decameron Nights)  Pirjo Levandi (4.51)

9.-14.    My Lady Dragonfly – Ballet Suite  Orchestra (15.44)

15.        The K-Nuts Medley (arr. Mart Sander) including “Gilbert the Filbert” and “I’ll Make a Man of You Yet”  Kelli Uustani & Mart Sander (3.16)

16.        Queen of the Flowers Pirjo Levandi & Mart Sander (5.04) *

17.        Moonlight Dance  Orchestra (3.50)

18.        Decameron Nights – Orchestral Suite  Orchestra (13.46)

Pirjo Levandi became an overnight sensation after graduating from the Tallinn Music Academy and making her debut at the Estonian National Opera. The tall and slender soprano with more than apt acting abilities was one of the leading members of the ENO ensemble for 8 seasons, making welcome guest appearances at other opera houses and music festivals, including the Gilbert and Sullivan festival in the UK. Since then, she has dedicated herself to the lighter repertoire, often with the Bel-Etage troupe or the Swing Swindlers ballroom orchestra, as well as being a mother. She has also discovered her skills as a comedienne and in 2010 won the Estonian Drama Award as the best actress in the supporting cast. Miss Levandi can also be heard on the first album of the series dedicated to neglected British composers of light music – The Monckton Album (Diversions Records)

Kelly Uustani graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London and has since then proved herself to be an extremely versatile singer, whose repertoire ranks from light opera and musical comedy to jazz and funk. She is the leading female vocalist of the Swing Swindlers, a dance orchestra led by Mart Sander, specializing on the repertoire of the 1930s, and can be heard on all of the band’s many albums. Miss Uustani is also a sought after vocal coach and arranger for several vocal groups and is often employed by the song writing team, responsible for the (so far only) Estonian winning Eurovision entry. Even when mothering her baby daughter, she still has time for studio work and a tight schedule of gigs.

Mart Sander, the leader and vocalist of both the Bel-Etage and the Swing Swindlers, began his professional musical career at the age of 17 and has since then stayed in the spotlight. He has released dozens of albums, sang and directed at the Estonian National Opera, composed both light and serious music, as well as acted both on stage and screen and hosted several popular TV programs (such as the Estonian version of Dancing With The Stars). He is a well known champion of Gilbert and Sullivan, and was commended for promoting British music by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on her state visit to Estonia. Mr. Sander is also an exhibited painter and has written three best selling novels.

The Bel-Etage company took over an old music hall at the heart of Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000; since then it has produced and recorded many Victorian and Edwardian shows, musical revues and comic operas. The company is well known for championing British music, especially Gilbert and Sullivan, whose work was previously not well known to Estonian audiences. Bel-Etage also supports a ballet troupe and two successful orchestras and is in constant demand at home and abroad.

FINCK PRESS RELEASE (66.6 KiB)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIj-_he6X4s

For full details about Kiss & Tell Cabaret visit http://www.kissandtellcabaret.com  and www.melindahughes.com

Smoke and Noise NI6139 Press Release (74.0 KiB)

GEOFF EALES

“as original as they come, listening to everyone but beholden to no single influence; Eales demands your attention with the force of his musical personality and keeps it with his musicianship” – Budd Kopman (Cadence)

GEOFF EALES is regarded as one of Europe’s most inspirational pianists and composers. Though he has been pro-active in a vast variety of musical situations throughout his long and distinguished career, it is within the realm of jazz and improvised music that the full extent of Geoff’s personality is revealed.

Geoff is that rare breed of artist – the multiple specialist. He is fluent in many musical languages: blues, bebop, swing, ragtime, gospel, latin, fusion, classical, the avant-garde and more. As Jack Kenny puts it in Jazz Views, “Geoff Eales is unique. When you talk to him one word comes up over and over, eclectic… any performance by Geoff will refer to the varied influences of his life so far: a splendid synthesis from Messiaen through Henry Mancini to Bill Evans.”
Geoff’s incredible musical journey began in the late 1950′s in the South Wales Valleys, his jazz-loving father sowing the seeds for a life in music when he taught him the 12-bar blues when he was only eight years old. From that moment on Geoff has never looked back.
Having graduated from Cardiff University with a Masters in Music in 1973, Geoff enrolled on a Ph. D course where he specialized in Composition and the music of American composer Aaron Copland. As a career in academia beckoned Geoff decided to broaden his horizons instead. Cruising the world as a ship’s musician for a couple of years, Geoff absorbed the music of many different cultures – Greek, Turkish, North African, Spanish, Japanese, Balinese and North and South American. These early musical experiences would have a tremendous impact on his later work.
Geoff moved to London in 1977, joining the BBC Big Band a year later. Here he worked with some of the best arrangers in the business including Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Bob Farnon and many fine jazz vocalists such as Norma Winstone, Rosemary Clooney and Marian Montgomery. By the time he had left the organisation in 1983 he had been featured in well over a thousand broadcasts.
After the BBC years Geoff quickly became one of the most sought-after pianists on the London session scene. He remained a top studio musician for over 15 years working alongside a host of musical luminaries, Leonard and Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith and Lalo Schifrin included. However as the new millennium approached Geoff felt an inner need to return to the music that had inspired him in his youth – jazz.
In 1999 Geoff released his first jazz album as a leader, Mountains of Fire, to rave reviews. Since then a steady stream of highly acclaimed albums has flowed: Red Letter Days (2001), Facing the Muse (2002), Synergy (2004), The Homecoming (2006), Jazz Piano Legends (2007), Epicentre (2007) and Master of the Game (2009).
Throughout his career Geoff has performed at many of the world’s leading jazz clubs including the Blue Note Clubs of Japan, New York’s Birdland, the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, Louisville’s Jazz Factory and London’s Ronnie Scott’s. He has also graced the main stages of many of the major jazz festivals such as Belgrade, Zagreb, Cork and Brecon.

Geoff is very pleased to announce the release of two CD projects that illustrate his diversity and musicianship – both as performer and composer. Both discs will be fully serviced to all UK classical & jazz music press and radio. Advertising will include major appropriate music magazines and publications. For more details, and to request a review sample and/or an interview request, please contact John Cronin at Music & Media Consulting Limited.

Artist:                  Geoff Eales & Isorhythm

Title:                    Shifting Sands

Cat. No:               33Jazz226

Discs:                   Single CD/Standard Case

UK Release:      Available Now

Distribution:  Proper Note (UK)

Towards the end of 2010 Geoff Eales formed the exciting genre-busting band Isorhythm featuring Ben Waghorn (saxes/bass clarinet), Carl Orr (guitar), Fred T Baker (bass guitar) and Asaf Sirkis (drums). “Shifting Sands” is Isorhythm’s debut album (which includes a guest appearance by the brilliant violinist Chris Garrick).

Featuring eight new compositions by Eales, this is the pianist’s ninth album as leader and is his most daring and innovative to date. The vibrantly colourful music is firmly rooted in the jazz-fusion genre and is replete with propulsive rhythms, sudden metrical shifts, post-Hendrix guitar wailings, edgy sax lines, infectious bass riffs and take-no-prisoners power house drumming.

The sources of Eales’ inspirations are many and varied: Mahavishnu, Bitches Brew, Soft Machine, Zappa, Messiaen and Stravinsky to name but a few. However, he never imitates. Instead he listens, absorbs, and then transcends his influences.

“Shifting Sands” reveals Eales to be a master story-teller. Some of the tales are dark and menacing – angry even. Others speak of unbridled joy and ecstasy. There are songs of sadness and regret. At times the music floats ethereally. Elsewhere it throbs and grinds with primeval energy.

Isorhythm tour the UK in late spring 2012. Confirmed dates so far include 606 Club Chelsea (18/4); The Castle Wellingborough (19/4); Wakefield Jazz (20/4); The Woodman Sevenoaks (23/5); Symphony Hall Birmingham (25/5); Jagz Ascot (27/5); Dempseys Cardiff (29/5); Swansea Jazzland (30/5); Stratford Jazz (3/6).

Further information can be found at www.geoffeales.com

Artist:                    Geoff Eales

Title:                       Mountains of Fire

Cat. No:                  NI6158

Discs:                      Single CD/Standard Case

UK Release:         Available Now

Distribution:     Wyastone Estate/Discovery UK

Personnel

GEOFF EALES, piano: NIGEL HITCHCOCK, alto saxophone: ROY BABBINGTON, bass; LAURENCE COTTLE, bass guitar: MIKE SMITH, drums: IAN THOMAS, drums

Geoff Eales writes:

Since the original notes to ‘Mountains of Fire’ were written thirteen years ago, a great sea-change has taken place in my musical life. From the time I left my native South Wales in 1977 for the buzz and excitement of London until I recorded ‘Mountains’ in 1998, my work could be best described as follows: studio musician, accompanist to the ‘stars’ and part-time jazz musician.

The whole dynamic changed post-1998. I became less and less interested in playing second fiddle to others and more and more concerned with carving a career for myself as an artist in my own right. Also, jazz had been on the back-burner for a very long time and I felt that it was high time that it occupied centre-stage. After all, it was the music that meant so much to me in my youth. ‘Mountains’ was warmly received by both public and jazz press alike and this further inspired me to dig deeper into my jazz soul.

The last thirteen years of intensive touring and recording have been hugely rewarding. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many wonderful people throughout America, Europe and Asia, and it is always a thrill to go into the studio with a brand new project. I feel that I am on an incredible journey, one that would never have begun if it wasn’t for my decision to record ‘Mountains of Fire’.

Finally, I would like to say how delighted I am that Nimbus Alliance has re-issued my debut CD – it’s the album that changed my life.

Geoff Eales has an active tour schedule (in addition to the Isorhythm dates listed above) and confirmed highlights in 2012 include Kings Head Bexley (9/1); Bulls Head Barnes (20/1); Hawth Theatre Crawley (22/2); The Pheasantry Chelsea (13/4 & 14/4); Wales Millennium Centre (6/5); Portsmouth Jazz Society (14/5); Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club (7/6); Village Institute, Hornby, Lancaster (8/6); Zeffirellis Ambleside (9/6); Savile Club Mayfair (15/6); St Mary’s Church Hall (27/6), Sandbach: Berkhamsted Civic Centre  (30/6). These dates are followed by a nine day Russian Tour with vocalist Salena Jones. Further information can be found at www.geoffeales.com

Geoff Eales Press Release Dec 2011 (91.5 KiB)

Premiere: 21st January 2012 (7.30pm)

St James’s Church Piccadilly,W1

Book tickets: £10/£15/£20 CLICK HERE

A Dramatic Song Cycle

music by Julian Marshall

text by Gertrud Kolmar

James Gilchrist (tenor solo)

Sophie Harris (‘cello)

Christopher Wray (choir master)

The Welten players and singers conducted by Ian Belton.

Special Guest reader: Dame Janet Suzman

All profits to the Barenboim-Said Foundation www.barenboimsaidusa.org

The concert will be introduced by Iain McGilchrist (author of The Master and his Emissary)

The Barenboim-Said Foundation

We are especially proud and delighted to report that all profits form this concert will go to the Barenboim-Said Foundation – the remarkable organisation that creates high level opportunities for young musicians from all the Arab countries and Israel, most notably in the form of the West-East Divan Orchestra. (www.barenboimsaidusa.org).

CLICK HERE