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Saturday, December 5, 2020

Philip Glass; John Rutter; Jean Françaix - Harpsichord Concertos (Christopher D. Lewis)


Information

Composer: Philip Glass; John Rutter; Jean Françaix
  • (01) Rutter - Suite Antique
  • (07) Glass - Concerto for Harpsichord and Chamber Orchestra
  • (10) Françaix - Concerto pour Clavecin et Ensemble Instrumental

Christopher D. Lewis, harpsichord
John McMurtery, flute (1-6)

West Side Chamber Orchestra
Kevin Mallon, conductor

Date: 2013
Label: Naxos

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Review

Contemporary concertos with an eye on the Baroque

Take three concertos composed for the harpsichord and the stylistic range of post-war music would most likely be made evident. If this disc could have pushed the stylistic envelope even wider, it nevertheless results in a balanced and enjoyable collection. Best known for his choral music and carol arrangements, John Rutter essayed several orchestral pieces in his earlier years – of which Suite antique (1979) is among the most attractive in its judicious alternation of slower and faster numbers, while taking in a catchy ‘Jazz Waltz’ and no less insinuating ‘Chanson’. More subtle in its expressive contrasts, the Harpsichord Concerto (1959) of Jean Françaix looks to the economical neo-classicism of the inter-war period – opening with a brace of nimble toccatas before it continues with a whimsical Andantino, then on to a Ravelian minuet and capering finale.

The Harpsichord Concerto (2002) of Philip Glass might seem the odd one out in this context and yet its three movements – typically untitled though which might be characterised as ‘Fantasia, Aria and Toccata’ – bring a Baroque-like poise and restraint to bear on the composer’s customary range of minimalist procedures. It makes for an understated and appealing piece, and one to which Christopher D Lewis is as responsive as he is to the other works here – sensitively accompanied by the West Side Chamber Orchestra under the attentive direction of Kevin Mallon. The sound ensures due definition between soloist and orchestra, while the booklet-note is neatly succinct. If the programme appeals, then there is no need to hesitate.

-- Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

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Philip Glass (born January 31, 1937) is an American composer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the late 20th century. Glass's compositions have been described as minimal music, similar to other "minimalist" composers such as Steve Reich and Terry Riley, but Glass has described himself instead as a composer of "music with repetitive structures". He has written numerous operas and musical theatre works, eleven symphonies, eleven concertos, seven string quartets and various other chamber music, and film scores. Three of his film scores have been nominated for Academy Awards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Glass
http://philipglass.com/

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John Rutter (born 24 September 1945 in London) is a British composer, conductor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music. He read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the choir. In 1981, Rutter founded his own choir, the Cambridge Singers, which he conducts and with which he has made many recordings of sacred choral repertoire (including his own works), particularly under his own label Collegium Records. Rutter's music is eclectic, showing the influences of the French and English choral traditions of the early 20th century as well as of light music and American classic songwriting. 

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Jean Françaix (23 May 1912, in Le Mans – 25 September 1997, in Paris) was a French composer and pianist. He studied at the Conservatoires in Le Mans and Paris, and was considered one of the best students of Nadia Boulanger. Although an accomplished pianist and often played his own works, Françaix's primary occupation was his extraordinarily active compositional career. He remained prolific throughout his life, writing over 200 pieces in a wide variety of styles. Françaix wrote pieces in many of the major large musical forms, including concerti, symphonies, opera, ballet, as well as numerous chamber works.

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​Originally from Rhiwbina in Wales, Christopher D. Lewis relocated to Canada in 2005 to study under Luc Beauséjour and Hank Knox at McGill University in Montréal. Here he earned a Bachelor degree before next completing his Masters degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music studying under Corey Jamason. Both degrees had a special focus on modern music for the harpsichord. Lewis performs internationally, and has toured widely including in the UK, Canada, the US, the Netherlands, and the South Pacific. He works as a university lecturer and is an Honorary Fellow of The Guild of Musicians and Singers.

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5 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Dear Ronald Do, your posts on Francaix have been exceptional. However, can I ask for this:
    PIANO MUSIC FRANCAIX on Nimbus (martin jones)https://www.wyastone.co.uk/jean-francais-the-music-for-piano-piano-duet-and-two-pianos.html. thank you so much!

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  3. Hello Ronald -
    Sadly, and unusually because I've found discs on Mega you posted several years ago, this disc has gone. Would it be possible to repost, please? Many thanks, Alex.

    ReplyDelete
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    If you are asked to download or install anything, IGNORE, only download from file hosting site (mega.nz).
    If MEGA shows 'Bandwidth Limit Exceeded' message, try to create a free account.

    http://fumacrom.com/3VPbr
    or
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    or
    https://exe.io/1J3Ufw

    ReplyDelete