Douglas Munn: Piano Music
The man who as W. D. Munn published papers on that branch of mathematics known as semigroup theory had another side to his personality: Douglas Munn (1929–2008), professor of mathematics at the University of Stirling, was also a fine pianist and a gifted composer. His piano music has its origins in Chopin, Brahms and Bartók but is clearly also inflected by Scottish folksong – much of it has a sense of the hills and the open spaces – and is written by someone with an intimate knowledge of the instrument. The Latvian pianist Arta Arnicane knew Douglas Munn and this album is the fulfilment of an unspoken promise to record his piano music.
Arta Arnicane, piano
Listen To This Recording:
- Minuet and Trio in G minor (1947, rev. 2004)
- Mazurka in D minor (1947, rev. 2006)
- Scherzo in F sharp minor (1948, rev. 1989)
- I Lento – Allegro
- II Andante
- III Allegro giocoso
- Nocturne in D flat major (1944)
- Nocturne in A major (1943)
- Nocturne in B minor (1945, rev. 1988/2003)
- Nocturne in E flat major (1943)
- Nocturne in E flat minor (1946, rev. 1991/2004)
- Intermezzo in A minor (1947, rev. 2005)
- Prelude No. 1 in E minor (1944, rev. 2003)
- Prelude No. 2 in F sharp major (1946)
- Prelude No. 3 in D major (1947)
Sonatina in F minor (1950, rev. 1985/2001)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘s for sound quality, the studio of Riga Radio, Latvia provides a sympathetic venue and acoustic to showcases these captivating scores to good effect. Arnicane must be lauded for her championing of Munn’s music in these first recordings. ‘
—Stephen Greenbank, MusicWeb International
Fanfare :
‘these works have profundity below the surface and will reward repeated hearings as each will unveil new secrets—as indeed any superior music will. There’s not a weak work in the lot even among the earliest ones, and lovers of late Romantic music and admirers of first-rate pianism…will definitely want to acquire this disc.’
—Fanfare
Classics Today :
‘Artistic Quality: 9
Sound Quality: 9
The bracing F-sharp minor Scherzo deserves serious attention from pianists looking for virtuoso showpieces, with its hints of Scottish folk song and ingenious deployment of registers.
Munn was a mentor and friend to Latvian pianist Arta Arnicane, who has now fulfilled her long held promise to record the composer’s piano works. Her excellent technique, stylish sensitivity, and ability to create character all do these attractive compositions proud, as does Toccata Classics’ booklet notes and Normunds Slava’s superb Riga Radio production values.’
—Jed Distler, Classics Today
British Music Society :
‘The booklet notes are comprehensive. Douglas’s sister writes the biography (NB Scotland had four universities of medieval establishment, not three, and five if you count Aberdeen’s as two rather than one). David Easdown contributes a long essay on Douglas’s mathematics, which serves to confirm that exponents thereof live in a world that only they understand.
Finally, Arta Arnicane comments with insight into the music. She became a close friend of Douglas and his wife Clare, and this disc is the outcome of a promise to record all Douglas’s music.
Her performances and Toccata’s recording are beyond reproach. It is good to note that the music has been typeset and, it is hoped, will be published shortly.’
—Geoffrey Atkinson, British Music Society