US/Canada journalists should request review samples via the Divine Art office in Vermont – patti@brandonmusic.net

DDV24156 Kenneth Smith (flute) & Paul Rhodes (pno) “Flute Vocalise”

This tribute from Kenneth Smith (accompanied by Paul Rhodes) to Paul Taffanel is a companion volume to ‘A Song Without Words’, a set of three compact discs devoted to the Legacy of Paul Taffanel (Divine Art DDA21371). Its three volumes ‘Vision’, ‘Dedication’ and ‘Imagination’ outlined the numerous ways in which Taffanel’s life and work influenced the future of flute playing, the development of the instrument, the music that was written for it and the way the flute is taught and played today. ‘Flute Vocalise’ compliments this set with colourful concert repertoire that has significant links to Taffanel and his ideals.

Several tracks were originally released on ASV, all these recordings on this disc have been remastered and re-compiled with some previously unreleased  tracks and are now available at mid price on the Divine Art ‘Diversions’ imprint.  The album is also an ideal ‘easy listening’ compilation for the wider public as well as true classical music fans.”

24156 Flute Vocalise - Press Release
24156 Flute Vocalise - Press Release.pdf

Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	23 May 2013

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DDV25106 Anthony Goldstone “Tchaikovsky Paraphrases Volume 2”

This recording is the second in a two-volume series of transcriptions and paraphrases for solo piano of music by Tchaikovsky performed by Anthony Goldstone, most of which are receiving their first recordings; volume one (Divine Art DDA25093) concerns orchestral concert works and operatic music; the second is of his ballets. He himself has long been recognised as a master of piano writing, the most famous example being his Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23, famously pronounced unplayable (and worthless) by the great pianist Nikolai Rubinstein but which has become one of the best loved and most performed of all piano concertos. Tchaikovsky made piano versions of his own works, mostly for four hands, and also commissioned transcriptions by trusted friends and colleagues and approved paraphrases of his works by an admired piano virtuoso such as Paul Pabst, both of which genres are represented on this recording.

25106 Tchaikovsky Paraphrases Vol 2 - Goldstone - Press Release
25106 Tchaikovsky Paraphrases Vol 2 - Goldstone - Press Release.pdf

Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	23 May 2013

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MSV77201 “Mixed Doubles” – Double Concertos by Sir John Manduell and Gordon Cross performed by Manchester Sinfonia

This 2CD set presents a number of works that can be classed as “double concertos” by two leading composers of today. All works are highly accessible, but at the same time quite challenging for the soloists. In every case, this collection is the first time these pieces have been committed to a commercial recording. Performed by Manchester Sinfonia with a number of highly regarded soloists.

77201 Mixed Doubles - Press Release
77201 Mixed Doubles - Press Release.pdf

Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	23 May 2013

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MSV28532 James Weeks “Tide” performed by Apartment House

James Weeks’ TIDE is three solo pieces – for cello with a special curved bow that enables the sounding of all four strings simultaneously, for clarinet with electronics, and for oboe d’amore – which may be played separately or as a trio. When heard together, as they are on the first disc here, they may be overlaid however the performers choose. The points of entry are left entirely free; the components are not so much simultaneous as coexistent, each independently working its own narrow furrow, following similar principles with different means. The three works end where they begin in a theoretically endless loop, with the option given to begin again; each is in fact an investigation of what it might mean to demarcate a long span of time. They all, in very different ways, draw an arc across duration.

28532 James Weeks - Tide - Press Release
28532 James Weeks - Tide - Press Release.pdf

Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	23 May 2013

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==================================================================

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 quite easily and quickly if you are interested. I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Review copies are available now.

• We think that this is the first occasion in many years where a disc of flute music has entered the Classical Artist Charts – certainly as high as this
• We also believe that this is the first time ever that a disc of original flute music has entered the Classical Artist Charts
• It is absolutely it is the first time a flautist has entered the Classical Artist Chart playing his own compositions
• And all of this achieved without the backing of a record label

Ian is very pleased that “Deep Blue” has been so well received – initially by the flute community. Please spread the word and help us to extend this interest to a wider audience.

Following the CD launch concert at The Forge in London last Tuesday, Flutewise, posted the following on their Blog:

I was really lucky on Tuesday to go up to the Forge in London to hear Ian Clarke and Tim Carey launch Ian’s new CD, Deep Blue.

The concert was brilliant. It was really lovely to meet up with so many flute friends there. I sat there stunned by the range of sounds Ian can get out of a bit of metal – from sublime, melodic lines to noises that were, quite frankly, terrifying and extremely rude! We heard a mixture of pieces, all Ian’s own works, from his last CD and his new one. Ian and Tim (on piano) played superbly and stretched our emotions with Touching the Ether and then terrified us in Hatching Aliens and then had us laughing during the Great Train Race….

We are lucky to have such a great flute player/composer in our flute world. Ian’s also a really lovely person and deserves our support. How? I hear you ask. Buy his new CD (I’m buying 2 as presents for friends in Croatia for later in the year). Why don’t you do the same, buy yourself a copy and one for someone else as a Christmas gift, but do it today so we can get Ian into the Classical Music charts. To get Ian’s music played on Classic FM will be helpful for all of us in our flute world.

Ian Clarke - Deep Blue- Press Release UPDATED 15 May 2013
Ian Clarke - Deep Blue- Press Release UPDATED 15 May 2013.pdf

Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	22 May 2013

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“Deep Blue” is available from Amazon, Music Glue, CD stores (UK distribution via Discovery) as well as iTunes and most other legal download sites – and all without the benefit of the backing of a conventional record label. It is fully expected that “Deep Blue” will be in the UK’s Top 20 Classical Artist Chart this weekend – maybe even approaching the Top 10. An impressive achievement! Disappointingly “Deep Blue” is ineligible for the Specialist Classical Chart – this chart rarely features “new” music. All the pieces featured on “Deep Blue” are published in sheet music form this week as well.

Word has spread rapidly via Ian’s extensive fan-base as a composer, performer and teacher. At concerts, the audience is provided with the QR codes in the programme in order to immediately download the album to their smart-phones and tablets. There are also direct links from www.ianclarke.net

Ian Clarke says:

“It would be great for the flute to have more flute music on the airwaves and in the general media. In particular some music of our time, in addition to the classics of the past.”

A revised press information sheet about “Deep Blue” is attached.

For more details, please contact:

John S. Cronin – Music & Media Consulting Limited

44-(0)1354-740847 (tel/fax) / 44-(0)7774-426966 (mobile)

john@musicandmediaconsulting.com / www.musicandmediaconsulting.com

Ian Clarke - Deep Blue- Press Release UPDATED 15 May 2013
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Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	22 May 2013

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Artist(s)

Composer:                          Franz Schubert

Repertoire:                         String Quartets

No 15 in G major D887

No.12 in C minor D703 “Quartettsatz”

Catalogue No:                   NI6221 [0710357622120]

Discs:                                      CD1 Standard Case

UK PPD (Trade Price): £8.70

UK Release Date:              7^th May 2013

Schubert started work on his 12^th String Quartet in 1820, but never finished it – the only section completed was titled “Quartettsatz” when it was finally published in 1870, some forty years after the composer’s death. The editorial board at the time (which included Brahms) declared the work as being comparable in value to that of the “Unfinished Symphony”.

Quartet No. 15 was composed in 1826 and is one of only two large scale instrumental works Schubert wrote in the key of G major (the other being Piano Sonata D. 894 also from 1826). Schubert was involved as the viola player at the premiere of the first movement in 1828 – however the whole piece was not performed in entirety until the 1850’s by the Hellmesberger Quartet.

These works are now considered to be integral parts of the quartet repertoire, and add to the impressive body of recordings built up by the Wihan Quartet. Their discs of Beethoven and Dvorak have all been enthusiastically received by critics all over the world.

Their Schubert cycle commenced in 2012 with the release of No’s 14 and 13 (NI6189) was very highly acclaimed:

“Exceptionally commanding performances” International Record Review

“There have been fine recordings of these two haunting quartets…., but none that I have enjoyed more than these beautiful performances, recorded at a concert in Prague last June”. Sunday Times

Artist Information

LEOŠ CEPICKÝ& JAN SCHULMEISTER – violins JIRÍ ŽIGMUND – viola • ALEŠ KASPRÍK – cello

The Wihan Quartet, formed in 1985, are heirs to the great Czech musical tradition. The Quartet’s outstanding reputation for the interpretation of its native Czech heritage and of the many classical, romantic and modern masterpieces of the string quartet repertoire is widely acknowledged. They have developed an impressive international career, which includes visits to major festivals in Europe and the Far East. They visit the United States and Japan regularly and have had highly acclaimed tours of Australia and New Zealand. They are frequent visitors to the UK and can often be heard on BBC Radio 3 as well as in concert at many venues throughout the country.

The Wihan are Quartet in Residence at Trinity College of Music, London, and for several years have taught many of the UK’s gifted young Quartets at Pro Corda in Suffolk. The Quartet are great supporters of the work of the CAVATINA  Chamber Music Trust, giving inspirational concerts and master classes to young people in many parts of the country.

Further information can be found at www.wihanquartet.co.uk

For more details, and to request a review sample and/or an interview request, please contact John Cronin at Music & Media Consulting Limited.

NI6221 Wihan Quartet - Schubert Quartets 15 & 12 - Press Release (72.9 KiB)

NEW RELEASE INFORMATION FOR PRESS/MEDIA

Player-composers of all instruments have been an engine of innovation and artistry in the past;

Ian Clarke is proving to be one of those player-composers in the flute world of today.

Ian Clarke is proud to announce that his new recording “Deep Blue” will be released both on CD and digital download on Monday May 13^th 2013.

Ian’s first album (“Within” IC01) was the number one best seller in specialist flute shops in the US and UK.  It was described as ‘amazing’, ‘inspiring’ and his playing ‘incredible’ in the media.  This new album looks set to continue the story.  The published music from his first album has become established as some of the most exciting flute repertoire of today being embraced by internationally acclaimed performers, teachers, colleges & students alike.   His second album has been keenly anticipated and with this album Ian presents his flute works composed between 2006 & 2012.

Initial reaction from colleagues in the flute world are excellent:

“You create new fields of sound and music making on the flute, always expressive and virtuosic, in a very personal style that takes us beyond anything we’ve heard before.”

Emmanuel Pahud – international soloist, principal flute of Berliner Philharmoniker

“Ian Clarke’s new CD transcends the work of most other flautists from a Classical Music background. Constantly inventive and cutting edge in terms of rhythm, melody and “alternative” flute-playing techniques, he brings great traditional skills to bear too, with perfect intonation and technical bravado. An eclectic delight! Luckily for me, he doesn’t sing or play acoustic guitar as well….

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull – singing, fluting, guitaring front man of the legendary rock group.

Product and Repertoire Information

Deep Blue (for flute & piano); Curves (for three flutes and piano) [Magical & Woven; Plaintive; Presto]; Touching the Ether (for flute & piano) [Part 1; Part 2&3]; Hatching Aliens (for flute & piano) [Something is There!; Blue Alien/Alien Chillout; The Fear Returns/Battle Tempo]; Beverley (solo flute)

Artists:                                                    Ian Clarke – flute, Tim Carey – piano

Composer:                                            Ian Clarke

Catalogue Number:                            IC02 [Bar Code 0887516557613]

Ian Clarke writes:

The natural world and universal human reflections & feelings are at play in different ways in each piece; stating the obvious perhaps but this limitless landscape is inescapably the domain in which the musician and listener roam. The more extended language of the flute is employed at various levels with different pieces and will often move beyond what might previously have been perceived as the norm. This wider palette of ‘extended techniques’ to a large extent represents many of the natural possibilities of the flute which have ancient roots in all human culture. Indeed many of the sounds might not be viewed as ‘contemporary’ but timeless in origin.  From the natural bends and pitch inflections in Deep Blue to the edgy soundscapes of Hatching Aliens, all these sounds are produced naturally from the instrument; sometimes with the addition of the voice when singing & playing.  Importantly, none of the pieces are about the techniques and mention of them is partly because they are relatively easy to talk about, as it might be to comment on key or structure.   As  ever, this composer  is  looking  beyond  the  means,  whether  simple  or adventurous, and hopes the listener will enjoy sharing the discoveries.

Touching the Ether (pub. 2008) – ‘I wish Ian Clarke put this song on his CD!!! This is incredible!!’, comment posted on a YouTube video of an ex. RSAMD junior student who won the junior woodwind prize playing Touching the Ether*. The 2012 British Flute Society young artist winner (RAM student) also performed Touching the Ether in his winning performance. **

Hatching Aliens (pub. 2010) – “This dark, and at times frightening work was expertly and thrillingly played. Some of the more experimental techniques used in the piece seemed to borrow sounds from the world of science fiction movies, and genuinely confounded and enchanted the audience, and the climax of the piece was met with justly rapturous applause.” Review published in journal of British Flute Society 2012 in reference to a ‘Contemporary Flute Masters’ concert at Cadogan Hall in 2012 – performed on this occasion by Ian Clarke & John Alley.

Curves (pub. 2012) – performed by composer with various leading players in the USA & UK at major conventions in Washington, Las Vegas, Manchester and Cardiff. The Australian and Korean premières happened in February 2013.  The three flutes & piano weave together using quarter-tones, bends and other techniques to create a curving textural tapestry. Furthermore it has just been announced that “Curves” is joint winner of the NFA (National Flute Association, USA) Newly Published Music Competition 2013 in the ‘Small Flute Ensemble’ category.

Deep Blue & Beverley (pub. 2013) – due for publication with the release of the album. ‘Deep Blue’ was the most asked for piece after performances last summer in Las Vegas and Manchester and was inspired by the ocean and whale song. ‘Beverley’ is a simple plaintive song for solo flute using unconventional fingerings to create changes in colour from one note to the next.

The pieces on Ian’s first album ‘Within…’ have had a big impact on the flute community and are now regularly played across the world; established in many music colleges, international syllabuses*** and played ‘just because’. Audiences have simply enjoyed listening! Collectively the new unique works on ‘Deep Blue’ mark a new chapter in Ian’s creative journey. This CD captures the player-composer’s first studio recorded interpretation of these latest pieces, the direct voice that sits beyond the page. It is hoped that music lovers in general will warm to, and perhaps discover something they didn’t expect in the musical journeys of the flute on this album. That maybe a cliché but his music is not!

Artist Information

Ian Clarke is acknowledged as one of the leading player/composers in the flute world. His compositions have been performed across five continents and by internationally acclaimed performers, teachers, colleges & students alike.  Many of these works are featured on his acclaimed first solo CD ‘Within….  Ian studied with Simon Hunt, Averil Williams and Kate Lukas as a part-time student of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London whilst concurrently studying Mathematics at Imperial College, London graduating with Honours. Ian is professor of flute at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. In addition to giving recitals, master-classes and workshops in numerous countries, he has performed as a featured guest soloist at major flute conventions throughout the world.    Ian also works with musician/composer Simon Painter writing and producing music for film & television under the name of Diva Music. Further information can be found at www.ianclarke.net

Tim Carey enjoys a career full of variety, as solo performer, chamber musician, orchestral keyboard player and teacher. His early studies were with Harold Parker, Louis Kentner and then at the RCM, London with Kendall Taylor, David Parkhouse and Bernard Roberts. He performs with many different instrumentalists and in particular has now established an international reputation as a flautist’s collaborator playing at flute events all over the world. He is a founder member of the London Tango Quintet and works as an accompanist at all of London’s music colleges, in particular the GSMD.  As an orchestral player he has worked with the LSO, the Bournemouth Orchestras, the Philharmonia, the Ulster Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Tim is much in demand as a teacher in his home county of Essex.

Press/Media and Marketing

The CD will be fully serviced to all UK classical music press and radio. Advertising will include 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.

To coincide with the CD release, Ian Clarke and Tim Carey will be performing pieces from Deep Blue at The Forge www.forgevenue.org, one of London’s premier music venues, on Tuesday 14^th May at 7.00pm.

Press tickets are available from john@musicandmediaconsulting.com

Footnotes

*            Hundreds of YouTube videos have been independently posted by flute players performing established Clarke  flute pieces. Search suggestions: ‘Ian Clarke’ or ‘Ian Clarke flute’

**          This continues an ongoing theme of established Clarke pieces appearing in various local, national and international competition programmes; including four successive BBC Young Musician woodwind final programmes.

***        Works from Clarke’s first album have appeared on the high grades of exam syllabuses since 2000. They are currently known to feature in the high grades of the ABRSM, Trinity and Carnegie Hall/Royal Conservatory (USA/Canada) and AMEB (Australia) exam syllabuses.

Ian Clarke - Deep Blue- Press Release (58.4 KiB)

Artist(s)

Composer:                          Lalo, Bruch & Mendelssohn

Repertoire:                          Piano Trios

Catalogue No:                    NI6219 [0710357621925]

Discs:                                    Single CD/Standard Case

UK PPD:                                Full Price

UK Release Date:              8^th April 2013

Repertoire

Lalo: Piano Trio no. 1 in C minor, Op. 7; Bruch: Piano Trio in C minor, op. 5; Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 49

Édouard Lalo’s (1823-1892) first piano trio in C minor Op.7 was most likely composed around 1850 when Lalo was 27.

Max Bruch (1838-1920) enjoyed a long and fruitful career as a composer, conductor and teacher. He studied with Ferdinand Hiller and his talent was recognized early on by Schumann and Ignaz Moscheles. The Piano Trio was written in 1859, when Bruch was only 19 years old and he was greatly influenced by the works of Mendelssohn. The music clearly demonstrates that even at this early stage, that Bruch was particularly fond of melodies of nobility and capable of producing great beauty of tone in his writing.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) completed his Piano Trio in D minor in 1839. The entire piece has a playful, relaxed nature, with affinity rather than conflict of contrastive themes being used. Although the piano was used as the main starting point for this composition, the other two instruments are not subordinate to it and Mendelssohn succeeded in attaining balance and unity. The first performance of the Trio was given on 1 February 1840 at Leipzig’s Gewandhaus, with Mendelssohn at the piano, and his friends the violinist Ferdinand David and cellist Carl Wittmann. The composition was immediately acclaimed and its qualities acknowledged.

Performers

Martina Schulmeisterová – piano Jan Schulmeister – violin Kamil Žvak – cello

The PETROF TRIO originated from an idea of the violinist of the Wihan Quartet, Jan Schulmeister, in 2009. Its members are prestigious chamber players, who bring years of concert experience and also youthful energy to their concert programmes.

In the same year that it was formed, the ensemble became the resident trio of the PETROF Company, who wanted to associate its tradition and quality with top-level concert artists. The trio’s repertoire includes pieces from composers from the early classics to impressionism (Haydn, Mozart, Schumann, Brahms, Dvořák, Lalo, Fauré, Debussy, etc.). The ensemble also enriches its repertoire with compositions from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Jan Schulmeister was born Moravia. He comes from a family with a musical tradition stretching more than 150 years. He became a founder member of the Wihan Quartet in 1985. In 1988, the Wihan won the Prague Spring Festival Competition and in 1990 the Quartet was awarded First Prize in the Trapani International Chamber Music Competition in Sicily. In 1991 the Wihan Quartet received both the First Prize and the Audience Prize in the London International String Quartet Competition. The foreman of the jury in the competition was Lord Menuhin and this competition launched the Quartet’s international career.

Jan has recorded more than 40 CDs with the Wihan Quartet, including two complete Beethoven Quartet Cycles. He has given many concerts in Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Middle and Far East Countries. In addition, he has given chamber music masterclasses in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and the Menuhin School in the UK. He is a visiting tutor at Trinity College of Music in London.

Martina Schulmeisterová achieved much success in competition in her earlier years. She performs regularly throughout Europe and Asia. She has been a piano professor at the P.J.Vejvanovský Conservatory in Kroměříž since 2002. She is married to Jan Schulmeister

Kamil Žvak started playing cello at the age of six. As well as giving many chamber music concerts Kamil Žvak also performs in several European countries as a soloist. He has been a cello professor at the P.J.Vejvanovský Conservatory in Kroměříž since 2010.

Press/Media and Marketing

The CD will be fully serviced to all UK classical 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.

NI6219 Petrof Trio Press Release
NI6219 Petrof Trio Press Release.pdf

Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	12 April 2013

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The Royal Over-Seas League,

Princess Alexandra Hall,

Over-Seas House
Park Place, St James’s Street
London
SW1A 1LR

Drinks at 6.30pm followed by a short concert featuring some of the pieces on the CD. Please let me know if you would like to attend.

DDA25109 “Of Times and Seasons” – Songs and Anthems of Peter Lea-Cox

Peter Lea-Cox has been the Musical Director of the Camden Chamber Choir since 1984. He is also the founder and musical director of the Lecosaldi Ensemble, a professional group of players and singers. In addition, he has an active freelance career, including, of late, organ-playing and choral conducting tours in Denmark and the USA, and being an examiner for Associated Board of Music.

The huge range of variety and style presented on this CD is quite deliberate, trying to give a fair representation of Peter’s many musical voices.  The recording features soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers accompanied by Jennie-Helen Moston (piano).

25109 Songs and Anthems of Peter Lea Cox Press Release (88.7 KiB)

MSV28534 “In Dust We Trust “– Thomas Fortmann

Thomas Fortmann was born in Switzerland and became a successful songwriter during the 70s. He wrote his first “hit” at the age of 16, which was followed by over a hundred titles released in more than 27 countries. Famous German rock stars such as Udo Lindenberg, Love Generation, J Urgen Drews and others, as well as British artists such as Alexis Korner and Italian singer Daniela Davoli have recorded his songs. He composed the music for the musical Tell (1977), which created a scandal in Switzerland. The record made it into all German-speaking charts.

At the age of 26, Thomas abandoned his career as a rock musician and dedicated himself to further studies in composition and instrumentation. This period formed the foundation for many chamber works, two symphonies, an Oratorio and three music-plays.

The music of Thomas Fortmann does not subscribe to any particular school of thought. He studied the various composition techniques, but maintained a critical point of view towards them. This lead to the development of a notably personal style, often uniting different, sometimes even contrary impulses of the modern. Formalistic concepts seem to serve him mainly as a method of transportation and as a play-ground, resulting in very original ideas. It is, however, always important to him, despite the frequent use of complex structures, to directly communicate with the listener and make an emotional impact.

Pieces featured on this CD are Sonata for Violin and Piano; Four Pieces for 2 Violins; Piano Trio “Prolitheus Suite”

28534 Thomas Fortmann - In Dust We Trust - Press Release (54.6 KiB)

======================================================

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 quite easily and quickly if you are interested. I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Review copies are available now.

Artist

Composer:       Geoff Eales

Title:                “The Dancing Flute”

Catalogue No:  NI6216 [0710357621628]

Discs:              Single CD/Standard Case

Price Point:      Full (UK Dealer £8.70)

UK Release:     7^th May 2013

Geoff Eales and Andy Findon are two of the UK’s most inspirational and eclectic musicians and nowhere is this better exemplified than on their new album “The Dancing Flute” which features thirteen compositions by Geoff. The CD is a testament to the duo’s all-inclusiveness with classical, jazz, Latin and folk influences all present. Andy plays a variety of flutes including alto flute, bass flute, piccolo and penny-whistle, the album a celebration of the life-enhancing qualities of the dance.

Tracklisting

Eternal Dance; Song For My Mother; In The Pocket; Remembrance; Elf Dance; Lochria’s Rhumba; In The Eyes Of A Child; Farewell Patagonia; The Sad Little Geisha Girl; Force 11; Ice Maiden; Pan Dance; The Last Kiss

Composer & Repertoire  Information

“The Dancing Flute”, featuring compositions by Geoff Eales, is a celebration of the life-enhancing qualities of the dance. You will hear vibrant Eastern European rhythms, tango, rhumba, flamenco and American swing. There are also nods in the direction of Irish folk music and the Orient. The influences on Geoff’s compositional style are many and varied, Debussy, Ravel, Bartok, Stravinsky and Messiaen amongst his primary influences, though the jazz element is never far away.

Geoff Eales is a Ph. D graduate from Cardiff University where he studied composition under Professor Alun Hoddinott and piano with Martin Jones. His compositions include a symphony, piano concerto and numerous chamber works.

“…this new disc from multi-instrumentalist Andy Findon and pianist Geoff Eales creates an enjoyable fusion of classical and popular styles. From the outset, the high recording quality is evident, with the rich piano sound evenly balanced against Findon’s flute.” (Carla Rees/Pan Magazine/March 2013)

Concerts and Events

Andy Findon and Geoff Eales are thrilled to be celebrating the release of their stunning new album at The Forge www.forgevenue.org, one of London’s premier music venues, on Thursday 18^th April 2013 at 7.30pm. At this event, Andy will be playing a variety of flutes including alto flute, bass flute, piccolo and penny-whistle as well as one or two instruments of a distinctly ethnic nature. Press tickets are available from john@musicandmediaconsulting.com

In their regular concerts, Geoff and Andy play a broad range of music, Geoff’s compositions interspersed with works by composers as diverse as Bartok, Fauré, Enesco, Debussy, Michael Nyman, Bill Evans and Chick Corea.

Artist Information

After leaving university, Geoff Eales located to London where he very quickly immersed himself in the metropolis’ thriving session scene. Before long, he became one of the most sought-after studio pianists, working with a vast array of musical luminaries including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and Elmer Bernstein. Geoff is also regarded as one of the UK’s most formidable jazz pianists. He has ten highly acclaimed albums to his name and has graced the stages of many of the world’s leading jazz festivals, clubs and concert halls such as Belgrade, Zagreb, Cork, Brecon, New York’s Birdland, Los Angeles’ Jazz Factory, the Blue Note Clubs of Japan and London’s Ronnie Scott’s and Royal Festival Hall.

Further information can be found at www.geoffeales.com

“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 USA)

Geoff is also pleased to announce the release of his first live recording “Free Flow” on the 33Xtreme imprint later this spring – it is a freewheeling improvised set in collaboration with Ben Waghorn (saxes & bass clarinet) and Ashley John Long (double bass).

As well as being an outstanding classical flautist, Andy Findon is one of the world’s leading exponents of the ethnic flute, his playing features on hundreds of films, records, adverts and TV shows. However, his musical activities are not confined to the flute. He has played baritone saxophone and flutes in the Michael Nyman Band since 1980 and is a member of the award-winning folk band “The Home Service”. His personal recording projects include his transcription of Michael Nyman’s “Yamamoto Perpetuo for solo flute” and several other albums, the most recent, “Density 21.5” released by Nimbus Alliance (NI6157). Full details can be viewed at www.andyfindon.com

“The flute leaps boldly, willingly, spectacularly into the 21^st century” – Dr Eileen Yarrison (Greater Boston Flute Association)  

Andy is a “Pearl Flutes International Artist” www.pearlflutes.com

Press/Media and Marketing

The CD 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.

NI6216 Andy Findon-Geoff Eales - Dancing Flute Press Release.
NI6216 Andy Findon-Geoff Eales - Dancing Flute Press Release..pdf
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Author:	Music and Media Consulting
Date:	6 April 2013

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• How to find the perfect instrument
• What to look for in a teacher
• Things to bear in mind beyond playing the right notes
• Popular books for beginners
• Preparing for exams
• Supporting a child who is learning
• And much, much more

So You Want To Play The Piano? Is an excellent guide for anyone thinking about the piano as their instrument of choice. Who knows, you could see a pleasant pastime become a lifelong passion!

Book Publication Information

ISBN 978-1-78003-579-6 £11.99

Published by IndePenPress on April 2^nd 2013, this most useful book will be available from Amazon, The Book Depository, bookstores, music shops and piano stores – both high street and mail order. There is also an e-book version available via Kindle, Kobo and iTunes

About The Author

Melanie Spanswick is a concert pianist and writer. She studied at the Royal College of Music in London where she won many prizes including the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff prize for ‘the most outstanding postgraduate pianist of the year’, the Sir Arthur Bliss Award and a Leverhulme Trust Scholarship. At the RCM, Melanie obtained a MMus (RCM), GRSM (Hons), ARCM and a Dip RCM. She studied the piano with Patricia Carroll, John Lill and Tatiana Sarkissova and has benefited from master classes by Tatiana Nikolayeva, Melvyn Tan and Geoffrey Parsons.

A busy concert schedule has taken Melanie all around the world performing in Canada, USA, Bermuda, Spain, Gibraltar, Russia, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden. Performances in the UK include the South Bank Centre, St John’s Smith Square, Wigmore Hall and CBSO Centre. She has broadcast on Classic FM, BBC Radio 2, CBC Radio, and Swedish and Spanish Television, and has made two solo recordings, ‘Liebestraume’ (2002 for Opera Omnia) and ‘Another Stage’ (2007).

Highlights include performing for the Queen Mother and the Queen and Prince Consort of Denmark, as well as working with conductors, Andrew Constantine and Sir Andrew Davis amongst others. Melanie was the first female pianist to give solo recitals for the Anglo Dutch Piano Platform in both Amsterdam and The Hague, and she has also given a short recital at Tchaikovsky’s House in Klin just outside of Moscow. As an accompanist, she has worked with Opera Interludes, Opera à la Carte and John Amis. Festival appearances have included Cheltenham, Windsor, Southwark, Prussia Cove, Guelph (Ontario, Canada) and the International Liszt Festival in Hamilton (Ontario, Canada). At the Liszt Festival, Melanie performed in the North American premiere of Liszt’s Bunte Reihe.

Melanie has played for numerous concert societies and universities around the UK and has given over 800 solo recitals on luxury cruise liners around the world, frequently appearing on Cunard’s legendary QE2 and QM2. She has been described as a ‘pianist of style and substance’ (Dr Alan Walker, Author of the definitive 3 volume biography of Franz Liszt), ‘Melanie Spanswick draws from the keyboard an unfailingly rich supply of colours’ (Musical Opinion), and ‘a forthright, bold performance’ (The Independent).

Melanie has taught the piano at Reading University, the Royal College of Music Junior Department and Blackheath Conservatoire. She has examined for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Music Festivals.  She is co-founder of the London Piano Salon, a monthly piano soireé set up in London, to enable amateur, semi-professional and professional pianists to perform to one another in a supportive and congenial atmosphere.

The Piano Education Project is a series of video recorded talks which appear on Melanie’s YouTube channel. The Project consists of short vlogs (or video blogs) which focus on studying the piano from the beginning, and an interview series called Classical Conversations, which features established artists (mainly pianists) who talk about their musical education and work. Artists featured so far include Valentina Lisitsa, Nick van Bloss, Alexandra Dariescu, Lucy Parham, Leon McCawley, Noriko Ogawa, Martin Roscoe, Ashley Wass and John Lill.

Melanie regularly writes articles and blogs for various music websites, magazines and newspapers.

For more information visit: http://melaniespanswick.com  and www.youtube.com/user/ClassicalMel

Melanie is a Breast Cancer Survivor and she campaigns tirelessly to increase awareness that early diagnosis is vital and also to highlight the healing properties of music.

Press/Media and Further Information

Information about this publication will be fully serviced to all appropriate UK music press and radio. For more details, and to request a review copy and/or an interview request, please contact John Cronin at Music & Media Consulting Limited.

Melanie will be giving a pre-publication talk as part of the upcoming festival “It’s All About Piano!” at the Institut Français in South Kensington, London SW7 – please see www.itsallaboutpiano.co.uk

So You Want To Play the Piano - Press Release (89.2 KiB)