The UA Blog - Press Centre - Ulysses Arts

LYRITA RELEASES CHRISTOPHER BROWN 24 PRELUDES AND FUGUES, WITH PIANIST NATHAN WILLIAMSON ON 2 FEBRUARY 2024

2/2/2024

Lyrita Records releases Christopher Brown, 24 Preludes and Fugues (SRCD.2431), with pianist Nathan Williamson, on 2 February 2024.

Christopher Brown writes: 'I set myself the challenge of writing a book of 24 Peludes and Fugues in all the major and minor keys and I approached family, friends, and several institutions I had been associated with, to commission a prelude and fugue each, with many of the resultant commissioners asking for references to pieces of music that had a special meaning for them, a request that I tried to follow through wherever possible.

The project took me eight years to complete, and it was not until 2019 that I finally put the finishing touches to the concluding B minor Fugue. The score was published on my birthday in June 2020 and I received an unexpected email from Nathan Williamson, saying that he would love to learn the music, and, because of the restrictions imposed by Covid lockdowns, it might be a good time to see if a complete recording might be contemplated. To our delight, Lyrita Recorded Edition agreed to take on the project, leading to the release of the present boxed set.'

'Very early in the planning process I had decided that the set would be divided into four books, each made up of six Preludes and Fugues, based around one of the notes of the name BACH (B flat, A, C and B natural in German notation), and starting and ending in the major or the minor tonality of the four keys. In addition I wanted to reference the cryptogram of Dmitri Shostakovich (DSCH – D, E flat, C and B), whose own masterly set of 24 Preludes and Fugues also casts its influence across my set.'

Nathan Williamson

Available from all major retailers and digital platforms
https://lnk.fuga.com/nathanwilliamson...
https://www.wyastone.co.uk/new_releases

Electronic press kit available for reviewiers from Ulysses Arts.

CLICK HERE TO BUY CD

Nimbus celebrates composer Richard Blackford's 70th anniversary year with new recordings, publications and live performances throughout 2024

16/11/2023

Richard Blackford

Nimbus celebrates composer Richard Blackford's seventieth anniversary year with a major series of new album releases, music publications and concerts throughout 2024.

5 January 2024: Nimbus Music Publishing releases scores for Babel, a new cantata for chorus, soloists, piano, organ and percussion (NMP.1126) and Clarissa's Tango. The latter has two versions: for violin and piano (NMP.1172), and for violin and string orchestra (NMP.1255). Clarissa's Tango also will be released on the same date as an audio (NI.1580) and audio-visual single (NI.1581), performed by Clarissa Bevilacqua, violin, and Thomas Hoppe, piano.

1 March 2024: Nimbus Records releases Blackford's Songs of Nadia Anjuman, performed by The Britten Sinfonia and soprano Elizabeth Watts, as an EP (NI.6444):

Also on 1 March 2024: Lyrita Records releases La Sagrada Familia Symphony, with BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Richard Blackford, and Babel: A Cantata, with the Ikon Singers conducted by David Hill (SRCD.432):

Ron Schepper, Textura, 27 Feburary 2024

'Entering the Spritual Forest'
Maureen Buja, Interlude, 11 March 2024

New Works by Richard Blackford from Nimbus Music Publishing: 5 January 2024

NMP1126

NMP1172

NMP1255

Richard Blackford writes about his new works:

Babel is a dramatic cantata based on the stories of Noah’s Flood and the Tower of Babel, with a thrilling and colourful score using organ, piano and percussion. Babel uses the chorus extensively to narrate both stories, as well as to evoke the terror of the Flood, the exuberance of the construction of the tower, and of course the multi-lingual babble of languages to which they are condemned. In addition to set pieces, such as the Nimrod baritone aria, and the soprano aria, ‘Do not fear the largeness of the showers’, the three soloists often sing together as the other-worldly voice of God. The instrumental forces are relatively modest, with the piano duet supported by the sustaining power of the organ, backed by two percussionists. This sound world is redolent of those Britten masterpieces for amateur choirs, ensembles and audiences, which have inspired many composers since, and to which I too am gratefully indebted.'

Babel's vocal score (NMP.1126) is for sale; full score and parts (NMP.1127) are available to hire. Approximate duration 38 minutes.

'In Buenos Aires, tango is described as the forbidden dance. In this performance the violin and piano capture not only the sound but also the essence of tango, creating an evocative dance between the instruments. The violin has the lead melodic material and the piano has some really exciting riffs and plays the supportive role guiding their interplay.

I remember seeing the amazing film Scent a Woman starring Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar. Pacino plays a blind veteran but he has an amazing sense of smell and he invites a beautifully young woman to dance a tango, something that he does supremely well. It's just one of the coolest most beautiful scenes that I can remember. After I saw it for the fifth time I just woke up one night with the idea of a tango which wouldn't go away, so I had to write it.

Clarissa’s Tango starts with a short, cadenza-like introduction on the solo violin, the tango is cast in rondo form, with the central C section moving from the home key of D minor to D major. It’s an ebullient duet that makes virtuoso demands on the solo violin, from extreme high tessitura passages and multi-stops to fast passage work as the violin elaborates on the main tango melody.'

'Tango is very visual and we wanted to capture this as a part of our release. Alongside performing the première and making the audio recording, we also filmed a companion video in Berlin. Violin and piano, represented by red and black, are two perfect dance partners who find each other in this darkly lit club-like atmosphere, where the camera dances around them eliciting this Tango. But in the sunlight outside our red and black characters fail to find each other, only when they perform this Tango do then they finally come together as one. I performed Richard Blackford's Tango with the LGT Soloists throughout their tour of Europe, Asia and Australia from November 2023 to January 2024.' Clarissa Bevilacqua

Click here for more details of Richard Blackford's live performances.

Richard Blackford is becoming one of the foremost concert and media composers in Europe. His concert works are performed regularly around the world and his music for film and television is broadcast frequently in almost every European country. His acclaimed Pietà won an Ivor Novello Composer Award in 2020 for the Choral Category and has already received multiple performances.

'The music comes from the heart with integrity, and a technical assurance...There is a crying need for this kind of music.' The Independent on Sunday

Further Richard Blackford 2024 album, publication and live concert details will be published here.
Electronic press kit and listening links for revieweres available from Ulysses Arts.

Crystalline by Alex Heffes and Ryuichi Sakamoto releases on 1 December 2023

11/9/2023

Crystalline, a four-track EP for two pianos, written and performed by Alex Heffes and the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, releases on 1 December 2023, in partership with Platoon. Two singles from the EP, Celestina and Obsidian, are releasing on 6 October and 3 November.

Click above to pre-order on iTunes

Alex Heffes writes:

'When I learned that Ryuichi had died, I went back through my archives and discovered a number of previously unreleased and unheard pieces that I had written and played with Ryuichi. Each track is like a miniature piece of crystal broken from a larger stone with its own unique character - Celestine, Obsidian and Amethyst. The final track, After, was created posthumously by taking a loop of us both playing and combining it at different speeds and pitches to create the dream-like texture of the piece. Crystalline is a tribute to Ryuichi and the inspiration he was to me and so many others.'

Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alex Heffes

Streaming links will be published here.
Electronic press kit for reviewers and radio stations available from Ulysses Arts.

NIMBUS RELEASES WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING OF PHILIP SAWYERS, MAYFLOWER ON THE SEA OF TIME ON FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2023

9/9/2023

Nimbus Alliance releases the world première recording of Philip Sawyers, Mayflower on the Sea of Time, on Friday 3 November, with soloists April Fredrick and Thomas Humphreys, the English Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Kenneth Woods.

Philip Sawyers, Mayflower on The Sea of Time

World Première (NI6439)

April Fredrick, soprano
Thomas Humphreys, baritone
English Symphony Orchestra Chorus
English Symphony Orchestra

Kenneth Woods, Conductor

'The 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's sailing to New England was in 2020. My task as a composer was to write a substantial choral and orchestral work to celebrate this event and the challenges the Pilgrims faced in the New World. My librettist wrote an imaginative piece that incorporated both a narrative and a reflection on the wider implications the story contained. Human attributes and frailties, moral, religious and political questions are touched upon. The resulting oratorio, Mayflower on the Sea of Time, is in four parts. The soprano and baritone soloists take on multiple roles as both narrators and different characters from the story.' Philip Sawyers

This recording captures the debut performance of the English Symphony Chorus. Assembled for this project, the group brings together some of the finest professional singers from across the UK. Ensemble members appear as part of elite groups such as The Sixteen, performers on the operatic stage, working as lay clerks at cathedrals across the UK, as well as working with leading orchestras and new music ensembles.

'Given the strong narrative of the work's source material, it will be no surprise to listeners to hear music that strives forward purposefully. In his symphonies, Philip takes care to highlight structural moments, punctuating musical sentences and paragraphs with great precision and clarity, whereas Mayflower is a study in constant transition and transformation.' Kenneth Woods

'All praise goes to the four very impressive soloists and the [English Symphony] Orchestra and chorus and not least to [Kenneth] Woods, whose commitment to Sawyers has enabled this music to reach a much wider audience, which it thoroughly deserves.'
Gary Higginson, British Music Society, 25 October 2023

'Attractive and tonally vibrant ... Strongly recommended.'
Guy Rickards, Gramophone, November 2023

John Quinn, Music Web International, 17 January 2024

Electronic press kit for reviewers available from Ulysses Arts.

ULYSSES ARTS RELEASES FIVE NEW ALBUMS IN AUTUMN 2023, ALL INCLUDING WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS

11/8/2023

British label Ulysses Arts is releasing five new albums in autumn 2023, all including world première recordings. Founded as a digital consultancy for classical music in 2008, Ulysses Arts has developed into an innovative record label presenting albums dedicated to original programming and new works.

Ulysses Arts' director, James Ross, comments: 'This is the most ambitious series or releases in our history. We are proud to be presenting this outstanding range of new music, great performers and ensembles, including musicians from the UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Hungary. Collectively, these five albums include the work of nineteen living composers, showing classical music today as a thriving, evolving art form, full of energy and imagination.'

Click above covers and titles below for full details:

22 September: Paul Henley Piano Works
Duncan Honeybourne, piano

Piano Sonatas No. 1, 2 and 3; Five Epigrams; Suite; Adagietto

UA230060

29 September: Todd Mason Violin Concerto & Chamber Suite

Tosca Opdam, violin; Budapest Scoring Orchestra; Péter Illényi, conductor

UA230080

6 October: All Shall be Amen

Caritas Chamber Choir, directed by Benedict Preece

New choral music by Gabriel Jackson, Cecilia McDowall, Phillip Cooke, Sarah Cattley, Eric Choate, Benedict Preece, Neil Wright, Andrew Smith and David Conte.

UA230120

3 November: Neoteric Ensemble Volume 1
Toby Street, James Fountain, Sarah Field, Rob Buckland, Richard Watkin, Adrian Miotti

New music for brass and saxophone sextet by Rob Buckland, Misha Mullov-Abado, Andy Panayi, Charlotte Harding, Toby Street, Dan Jenkins and Mark Nightingale.

UA220001

10 November: Soliloquies

Songs by Messiaen, Chausson, Frank Bridge, Hanns Eisler and Paul Willot-Förster

Maria Hegele, mezzo-soprano and Anna Szałucka, with Connie Pharoah, viola and Emily Turkanik, violin.

UA230090

Eletronic press kits, listening links and CDs for all albums are available for reviewers from Ulysses Arts.

CARITAS CHAMBER CHOIR ALBUM 'ALL SHALL BE AMEN' RELEASED BY ULYSSES ARTS ON 6 OCTOBER 2023

22/7/2023

Click above to download on iTunes with digital booklet or stream on Apple Music

Caritas Chamber Choir, directed by Benedict Preece, releases its next album, All Shall be Amen, on 6 October 2023, in partnership with Platoon.

All Shall be Amen is Caritas' sixth album: it presents music by composers Cecilia McDowall, Eric Choate, Benedict Preece, Gabriel Jackson, Sarah Cattley, Phillip Cooke and Neil Wright, that Caritas has regularly performed and recorded, alongside new exciting collaborations with David Conte and Andrew Smith. The album’s sacred theme is broad, demonstrating an omnium-gatherum of new works, and contemporaneously, championing many fantastic living composers. The majority of its works are world première recordings.

Caritas is a British chamber choir, passionate about raising money for charities through singing, and performing to the highest level both in the UK and throughout Europe. The choir, founded by Benedict Preece, performs music from all periods in around twenty concerts per year around the UK and in France, as well as services in Canterbury Cathedral.

'Caritas Chamber Choir excels, always offering a beautiful choral sound with a wide dynamic palette, and with scrupulous attention to phrasing and articulation. ... This album is a triumph.' Jerónimo Marín, Ritmo, October 2023, p. 64

'Incandescent luminosity of the British chamber choir's singing and the stirring impact of its renditions. ... Throughout the release, Preece's masterful shaping of the choir's sound is well-evidenced by the delicate interweaving of voices and the fluidity with which changes in vocal dynamics are effected. Given the evidence at hand, contemporary choral composition and singing would seem to be thriving, given the high calibre of the writing and performances featured on the release.' Ron Schepper, Textura, November 2023

'All shall be Amen excels in no fewer than première recordings.'
Mattie Poels, MusicFrames (Netherlands), 7 February 2024

All Shall be Amen: Track List

1. A Prayer of St Bernard of Clairvaux: Gabriel Jackson ........................... 2:29
2. O vos omnes: Neil Wright ........................................................................ 3:17
3. Ubi Caritas: Phillip Cooke ........................................................................ 4:42
4. Vinea mea electa: Andrew Smith ........................................................... 4:22
5. Prayer of Richard Rolle :Sarah Cattley .................................................. 3:21
6. My Eyes for Beauty pine: Sarah Cattley ................................................. 2:41
7. O Lord, support us: Sarah Cattley ......................................................... 3:23
8. Keep watch, dear Lord: Eric Choate ...................................................... 3:34
9. Adoro te devote: Gabriel Jackson .......................................................... 3:31
10. Crux fidelis: Neil Wright ......................................................................... 4:52
11. Nunc dimittis: Phillip Cooke .................................................................. 4:19
12. Rise heart; thy Lord is risen: Cecilia McDowall ................................... 4:09
13. Ave Maria: Neil Wright ............................................................................ 4:21
14. Pange lingua: Benedict Preece .............................................................. 4:24
15. O salutaris hostia; Gabriel Jackson ........................................................ 3:18
16. O sacrum convivium: Benedict Preece ................................................. 3:58
17. Locus iste: Phillip Cooke ......................................................................... 4:31
18. By Night while others soundly slept: David Conte .............................. 3:07
19. Night Prayer: David Conte ...................................................................... 4:36
20. All shall be Amen: Gabriel Jackson ........................................................ 6:02

Total time: 1:18:58

Pre-Released Singles

Benedict Preece, Pange lingua, 11 August 2023
Phillip Cooke, Ubi Caritas: 25 August 2023
Sarah Cattley, O Lord, Support Us: 8 September 2023
Cecilia McDowall, Rise Heart, thy Lord is Risen: 22 September 2023

Released on 11 August 2023

Benedict Preece

Benedict Preece sets the classic liturgical text Pange lingua 'accessibly and sympathetically, so many church choirs could sing my music. Pange lingua is a partner for my setting of Tantum Ergo, for performance during communion or Holy Week, or in concerts. All voice parts have lyrical lines, whether or not they are singing the melody. The final “Amen” quotes my Tantum Ergo, to connect both works.'

SOLILOQUIES - SONGS BY MESSIAEN, CHAUSSON, EISLER AND PAUL WILLOT-FÖRSTER WITH MARIA HEGELE AND ANNA SZAŁUCKA RELEASED ON 10 NOVEMBER 2023

13/7/2023

Click above to download from iTunes with digital booklet or stream on Apple Music

Ulysses Arts releases a new album of songs by Messiaen, Frank Bridge, Chausson, Eisler and new works by Paul Willot-Förster on Friday 10 November 2023, performed by mezzo-soprano Maria Hagele and pianist Anna Szałucka with Connie Pharoah, viola, and Emily Turkanik, violin.

SOLILOQUIES ALBUM DETAILS

OLIVIER MESSIAEN, Harawi - Chant d'amour et de mort
1: I. La ville qui dormait, toi 02:31
2: II. Bonjour toi, colombe verte 03:27
3: III. Montagnes 02:58

FRANK BRIDGE, Three Songs for Voice, Viola and Piano, H. 76
with Connie Pharoah, viola
4. I. Far, far from each other 03:33
5. II. Where is it that our soul doth go 03:08
6. III. Music when soft voices die 02:01

'CLEMENS CZERNIK'
with Emily Turkanik, violin
7. Graciella 02:02

PAUL WILLOT-FÖRSTER
with Emily Turkanik, violin
8. Selbstgespräche: I. Vorwort/Entschuldigung 01:48
9. Selbstgespräche: II. Schlaflied 03:05
10. Selbstgespräche: III. Vokalise 03:22
11. Selbstgespräche: IV. Weltende 01:45

ERNEST CHAUSSON, Serres chaudes, Op. 24
12. I. Serre chaude 03:03
13. II. Serre d'ennui 02:30
14. III. Lassitude 02:22
15. IV. Fauves las 01:51
16. V. Oraison 02:16

HANNS EISLER
17. Fünf Elegien No. 4: Diese Stadt hat mich belehrt 01:28
18. Der Pflaumenbaum 01:41
19. Faustus‘ Verzweiflung 00:50
20. Fünf Elegien, No. 1: Unter den grünen Pfefferbäumen 00:53
21. Goethe-Fragment 01:45
22. Was ich dort gelebt 00:57

OLIVIER MESSIAEN, Harawi - Chant d'amour et de mort
23. X. Amour, oiseau d‘étoile 04:47
24. XI. Katchikatchi les étoiles 02:01
25. XII. Dans le noir 05:42

Click here for texts and translations

Maria Hegele

Anna Szałucka

Connie Pharoah

Emily Turkanik

Chausson, Lassitude, on Apple Music's New in Classical playlist

TODD MASON VIOLIN CONCERTO AND CHAMBER SUITE, RELEASING ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2023

16/6/2023

Ulysses Arts releases Todd Mason's Violin Concerto, with soloist Tosca Opdam, and Chamber Suite, with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra conducted by Péter Illényi, on 29 September 2023.

Released on 29 September 2023. Click above to download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music.

'The writing for the solo instrument is both expressive and virtuosic.'
Geoff Pearce, Classical Music Daily, 8 Sep 2023

'A superb recording that should be listened to time and again.'
Maureen Buja, Interlude, Sep 2023

'Opdam enchants with tenderness, timing and flexibility.'
Maartje Stokkers , De Volkskrant, 28 Sep 2023

'Un jeu virtuose d’une extrême précision, aux phrasés ciselés, aux respirations idéales ... une découverte musicale des plus enthousiasmantes.' / 'Virtuosity of extreme precision, with well-defined phrasing and ideal vitality ... an exciting musical discovery.'
Jean-Jacques Millo, tr. Lawrence Schulman, Haute Définition No. 210, 30 Sep 2023

Remy Franck, Pizzicato, 2 Oct 2023

'Brought to thrilling realization by soloist Tosca Opdam and the Budapest Scoring Orchestra under Péter Illényi's direction. ... Stellar recording.'
Ron Schepper, Textura, Oct 2023

'Une large palette de couleurs, de rythmes et d’émotions, jusqu’aux dernières notes. Avec une Tosca Opdam encore une fois irrésistible.... L’auditeur aura eu la chance de découvrir ou redécouvrir deux artistes passionnants : le compositeur Todd Mason et la violoniste Tosca Opdam. Gageons aussi que l’étonnant Concerto pour violon restera dans les mémoires.'
Bruno Chiron, Bla Bla Blog, Nov 2023

'El compositor Todd Mason ha enregistrat, en una excellent gravació al Budapest Scoring Studio per al segell Ulysses Arts, el seu Concert per a violí i Suite de Cambra. ... L’impacte dramàtic és fascinant.'
Josep Bosch, Sonograma, 29 Nov 2023

December 2023:
Todd Mason's Violin Concerto and Chamber Suite album selected as No. 5 in 20 Top Instrumental Classical Music Recordings of 2023 by Textura.

Find out more here about the making of Todd Mason's Violin Concerto, featured in The Strad.

Spirito - pre-released on 21 July 2023

DANCE FOLDINGS FOR ORCHESTRA, BY AUGUSTA READ THOMAS, RELEASED BY NIMBUS RECORDS ON 7 JULY 2023

2/5/2023

Click above to download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music

In celebration of the diversity and published objectives of the Royal Albert Hall on the occasion of the venue’s 150th anniversary, BBC Radio 3 commissioned DANCE FOLDINGS for orchestra: the prompt was to reflect the arts and sciences as they are now. The natural world, explored by scientists, engineers, and physicians in laboratories and clinics, offers a wealth of opportunities to explore resonance and balance through sound. Few orchestral works attempt to capture the kinetic and emotional content of scientific topics and convey these concepts through abstract, rather than descriptive, music. The musical materials of DANCE FOLDINGS for orchestra take as their starting point the metaphors, pairings, counterpoints, foldings, forms, and images inspired by the biological "ballet" of proteins being assembled and folded in our bodies.

Dance Foldings was recorded in the presence of the composer, and produced in association with BBC Radio 3 and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Augusta Read Thomas is one of the most active composers in the world, with commissions, performances, recordings, awards, and honours, but she is also a long-standing, exemplary citizen of the profession at large with an extensive and deeply committed history as a generous colleague in the profession. She is without question one of the best and most important composers of our time. Her music has substance, depth, and a sense of purpose. She has much to say and knows how to say it, and in a way that is intelligent yet appealing and sophisticated.

Electronic press kit available from Ulysses Arts.

ELECTRONIC MASTERS VOLUME 9 RELEASED BY ABLAZE RECORDS ON 26 MAY 2023

24/4/2023

Download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music - click above

Electronic Masters Volume 9 released by Ablaze Records on 26 May 2023. Music from the USA, South Africa, Italy and Norway, by Rodney DuPlessis, Pierre-Henri Wicomb, Chin Ting Chan, Marshall Jones, Michael Boyd, Leo Cicala, Julius Bucsis and Mathieu Lacroix.

Marshall Jones, Coffeegate, on Apple Music's New in Classical playlist

Electronic press kit available for reviewers from Ulysses Arts.

PAUL HENLEY PIANO WORKS ALBUM WITH DUNCAN HONEYBOURNE RELEASING ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2023

2/4/2023

Ulysses Arts releases Paul Henley's Piano Works album on 22 September 2023, performed by Duncan Honeybourne, with several works pre-released digitally on Apple Music during the summer.

Download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music - click above

Duncan Honeybourne

Duncan Honeybourne comments: 'Paul Henley told me that he feels the piano is more 'orchestral' than any other solo instrument. His intention is to highlight its “very diverse expressive potential, ranging from beautiful lyricism to considerable rhythmic vitality”. As Henley explains: “although it has considerable lyrical potential, the piano is actually a percussive instrument”. The latter is particularly significant to him.'

All three sonatas are shot through with an attractive blend of the percussive and the lyrical: No. 3 is the most extended and ambitious scale, and with a correspondingly extended expressive range. The Suite was composed in 2002 to celebrate the eighth birthday of the composer’s son; its five movements convey an engaging directness and simplicity in character and design. Framed by two cheerful Fanfares, there is a bouncy Scherzo, a warm hearted Nocturne and a dramatic Chorale. As with all Henley’s music, it is effective but never loaded with complexity for its own sake. Sometimes touching, sometimes punchy, and often surprising, it is constructed skilfully with a distinctive ear for rhythmic zest and harmonic colour, allied to a natural gift for melodic charm.

ALBUM DETAILS

Piano Sonata No. 1 (2005): 13’02

i. Moderato ma maestoso - Allegro molto: 5’00
ii. Adagio: 4’42
iii. Allegro moderato :3’20

Sonata No. 2 (2016): 7’17
Allegro vigoroso - Meno mosso - Allegro moderato - Come prima -
Maestoso - Moderato calmo - Allegro vigoroso

Sonata No. 3 (2020): 20’42
i. ‘Processional’ - Solenne: 4’54
ii. ‘Moto perpetuo’ – Allegro molto e sempre tempo giusto: 2'05
iii. ‘Departure’ – Adagio: 6’10
iv. ‘Danza’ – Allegretto deciso: 7’33

Five Epigrams for Piano (2019): 9’23
i. Molto moderato
ii. Allegretto
iii. Andantino
iv. Allegro
v. Molto moderato

Suite for Piano (2002): 5’27

Adagietto (2020): 3’12

Epigram No. 1 in Apple Music playlists: New in Classical and Pure Piano:

Men and Angels - new album from The Ramsey Singers releasing with Ulysses Arts on 26 May 2023

8/2/2023

Click above to download from iTunes with digital booklet or stream on Apple Music

The first two decades of the 21st Century witnessed an exciting new wave of compositions - many from women - which have rejuvenated the great choral music tradition with a huge range of individual styles. The Ramsey Singers have performed many of these album pieces on their visits to English cathedrals during the past 20 years, as well as commissioning significant additions to the repertoire. This album brings together some of the best works from this new tradition, mostly recorded for the first time, including music by Philip Stopford, Kerena Briggs, James Lavino, Lucy Walker, Alec Roth, Ben Ponniah, Jeremy Woodside, Sarah MacDonald and Jonathan Rathbone.

The Ramsey Singers

Founded in 1987, The Ramsey Singers have performed in many of England’s most famous cathedrals and churches including Canterbury Cathedral, York Minster, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Singers come from all over England and meet twice a year. Directed by Mark Fenton, the choir has undertaken tours to Belgium, The Netherlands and France and has recorded albums of works by Henry Purcell and Pelham Humfrey (Priory) and Arnold Bax & Percy Whitlock (ASV). The Ramsey Singers have championed the works of contemporary composers and the choir celebrated its 30th anniversary by commissioning a piece by James Lavino.

Mark Fenton

Born in London in 1965, Mark Fenton won a Scholarship in History at Cambridge University. He sang with the choir of St. Catharine’s College under the direction of Peter le Huray and Owen Rees with whom he took part in recordings of choral works by George Dyson, Herbert Howells and Benjamin Britten. After graduating with First Class Honours, he joined the choir of Chelmsford Cathedral where he participated in numerous BBC broadcasts, recordings and tours. As founder and Director of The Ramsey Singers, Mark has conducted at Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral in London and at Sacre Coeur in Paris. After a distinguished career in education - including fifteen years as Headmaster of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School - he returned to working in music, taking up a post as a Bass Lay Clerk at Worcester Cathedral where he has sung in BBC broadcasts and in the Three Choirs Festival.

'Innovative and totally unexpected chords, harmony and daring chord progressions (chord connections) with dissonances (such as minor seconds), which cut excitingly through the melody. All this creates musical tension and excitement, resulting in pieces that, with a link to the Renaissance, show a fresh & new metier. Conductor Mark Fenton keeps a close eye on the choral sound and creates the perfect harmony vocals with love and dedication.'
Mattie Poels, Music Frames, August 2023
www.musicframes.nl/2023/08/men-angels-van-the-ramsey-singers/#more-69985

Lucy Walker, Occuli Omnium, on Apple Music playlist New in Classical

Sarah MacDonald, Crux Fidelis, on Apple Music playlist Women in Classical Music

James Lavino, Light, on Apple Music playlist Contemporary Classical

Electronic press kit available from Ulysses Arts

PHILLIP COOKE, FOUR MARIAN ANTIPHONS - CARITAS CHAMBER CHOIR AND BENEDICT PREECE - RELEASING ON 31 MARCH 2023

21/1/2023

Pre-order on iTunes or stream pre-add tracks on Apple Music

Ulysses Arts releases the première recording of Phillip Cooke's Four Marian Antiphons on 31 March 2023, performed by the Caritas Chamber Choir directed by Benedict Preece.

Four Marion Anthems

1. Ave Regina Caelorum
2. Salve Regina, Mater misericordiae
3. Alma Redemptoris Mater (pre-release on 24 February)
4. Regina Cœli (pre-release on 17 March)

Phillip Cooke

Released in partnership with Platoon.

Blessed Among Women, Weeping: Sacred Choral Music of Father Ivan Moody, from Coro Volante conducted by Brett Scott, released by Ablaze Records on 24 March 2023

20/1/2023

Download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music: click above

Fr. Ivan Moody

Fr. Ivan Moody was born in London in 1964. He studied music and theology at the Universities of London, Joensuu and York (where he took his doctorate). He studied composition with Brian Dennis, Sir John Tavener and William Brooks.

He has worked with soloists and ensembles of world renown, such as the Hilliard Ensemble, Singer Pur, Trio Mediaeval, the Tallis Scholars, the English Chamber Choir, Cappella Romana, New York Polyphony, the Regensburger Domspatz, Singcircle, Lumen Valo, Tapestry, Cappella Nova, Ars Nova Copenhagen, the Taverner Consort, Fretwork, the Raschèr Quartet, Raphael Wallfisch, Suzie Leblanc, Artur Pizarro and Paul Barnes. Over the years he has written a series of substantial choral and choral-instrumental works, including Passion and Resurrection (1992), Revelation (1995), Akathistos Hymn (1998), The Dormition of the Virgin (2003), Passione Popolare (2005), Ossetian Requiem (2005), Moons and Suns (2008), Stabat Mater (2008), Qohelet (2013) and Stephans-Weihnacht (2019). Instrumental music includes a series of concertante works for viola, cello, recorder, double bass, piano, harp, tuba, bass clarinet and marimba, and many works for chamber ensembles (notably the piano quartet Nocturne of Light, from 2009) and solo instruments.

Ivan Moody is also a conductor and musicologist; his book Modernism and Orthodox Spirituality in Contemporary Music was published in 2014. He is a Researcher at CESEM—Universidade Nova, Lisbon, and a priest of the Orthodox Church.

Lines from Poetry - Davis Brooks plays music by Filipe Leitão, Richard Einhorn, Ronald Caltabiano, Frank Felice, Balee Pongklad, released by Ablaze Records on 10 March 2023

20/1/2023

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American violinist and viola player Davis Brooks records all the parts in the music on album Lines from Poetry, released by US label Ablaze Records on 10 March 2023, featuring composers Filipe Leitão (Brazil), Richard Einhorn, Ronald Caltabiano, Frank Felice (USA), Balee Pongklad (Thailand/USA).

Davis Brooks

'It become commonplace for many artists to produce a “covid project,” - this is mine. The Pandemic gave me the opportunity to collaborate personally with five composers in recording their music, resulting in a wide assortment of musical styles.

Two works, String Samba and Two by Four, were projects enabling me to explore performing and recording all the parts, enabling me to control every interpretive and technical variable. String Samba originally was intended to be performed by a traditional string quartet, but Filipe and I were intrigued by the possibility of a three violin and viola format. In addition to the original scored notation, I recorded additional ponticello and pizzicato effects and the piece was reinvented anew.

The recording of Two by Four, like String Samba, became a late-night home studio project. Having been part of the première of Two by Four in 2004, I simply wanted to record a version where I played all of the parts, and to see where my own interpretation might go.' (Davis Brooks)

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