ECHOES OF OBLIVION: Between August 2022 and May 2023, Robert McCarney's regular series featured little-known twentieth century classical composers.
PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS:
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
Ensemble. Near-miraculous - Bach, Copland, Gibbons, Ramsey, Tomkins, Walton, Weelkes and Whitacre from Richard Roddis and the Derwent Singers, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Engagingly Sung - Hugh Morris' first choral concert as Master of the Music at Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Beautifully Managed - Music for Lent and Easter impresses Howard Smith. '... excellent musical standards and high technical achievements ...'
Ensemble. Exuberantly Florid Writing - Mike Wheeler listens to António Teixeira's Te Deum
CD Spotlight. Great Fluency - Music by Pierre Moulu, heard by George Balcombe. '... magically moving individual lines and harmonies.'
Ensemble. Real Spirit - A Christmas offering from Derby Choral Union, heard by Mike Wheeler
Liszt with Languid Ease - Christopher Herrick at Derby Cathedral, heard by Tony Westerman
Incisive Playing - Daniel Hyde at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Sensitively Played - A recital by Stephen Disley, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Cosmic Distance - Choral music from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, recommended by George Balcombe. '... such clarity ...'
Ensemble. In Complete Command - Britten's 'The Company of Heaven' and Renaissance Polyphony, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Powerful Beauty - Works by Fauré for Cello and Piano, recommended by George Balcombe. '... a profoundly moving sound ...'