Stephen DODGSON: Chamber Music, Volume Four: Music for Winds I
This fourth album in the Toccata Classics survey of the chamber music of London- born Stephen Dodgson (1924–2013) offers a first instalment of his many works for woodwinds. Much of it brings Dodgson’s sense of fun to the fore, often through rhythmic mischief or an insouciance that recalls Poulenc, but it also has that particularly English strain of lyricism that suggests the impermanence of beauty.
Kate Howden, mezzo-soprano (Tracks 4–7)
Magnard Ensemble (Tracks 1–3, 17–21)
Suzannah Clements, flute (Tracks 1–3)
Mana Shibata, oboe (Tracks 8–10, 14–16)
Joseph Shiner, clarinet (Tracks 4–10)
Catriona McDermid, bassoon (Tracks 8–10, 14–16)
Jonathan Farey, horn (Tracks 11–13)
Suling King, piano (Tracks 4–7, 11–16)
Listen To This Recording:
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Sonata for Wind Quintet (1977)
- I Vivace
- II Lento e sostenuto
- III Allegro non troppo, giocoso
- I A Tattered Nation
- II Ptolemys Bells
- III The Lord Treasurers Fortune is Told
- IV The Faery Beam upon you
- I Lively and accented
- II Songful and expressive
- III Bright and playful
- I Allegro non tanto
- II Andantino
- III Moderato e maestoso
- I Prelude
- II Fly-by-Night
- III Variations
- I First Light
- II Scamper
- III Sommeil
- IV Mischief
- V Pigeon Chorus
Gipsy Songs (1976)
Wind in the Reeds (2009)
Sonata for Horn and Piano (1967)
Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano (1973)
Five Minutes for Wind Quintet (2008)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘This is a splendid disc, one which is expertly performed throughout by the Magnard Ensemble, I was particularly impressed by their horn player Jonathan Farey, who rises to all the challenges posed by the wonderful Horn Sonata as well as the two works for wind quintet, but all the members of this group are on top form, I hope they are involved in subsequent volumes of the wind chamber music. The recorded sound is excellent as are the booklet notes, which are exemplary, making this an invaluable addition to any collection of Stephen Dodgson’s music, and English wind music as a whole.’
—Stuart Sillitoe, MusicWeb International