Jeremy Dale Roberts: Chamber and Instrumental Music
Jeremy Dale Roberts (1934–2017) was a unique figure on the British musical landscape: as a composer, he steered a path between traditional tonality and modernism, developing a language that can range from aching, pastoral lyricism to wild, freewheeling energy. This album – to which Dale Roberts referred as ‘a kind of testament’ – counterpoints works from the beginning and end of his career, all distinguished by his unmistakable sense of drama and poetry and his peerless technical command. The performers here worked intensely with the composer over a number of years, and he was involved with every aspect of these recordings, from initial rehearsals up to the final edits.
Peter Sheppard Skærved, violin (Track 1)
Roderick Chadwick, piano (Tracks 1 – 2)
Bridget MacRae, cello (Tracks 3 – 6)
Kreutzer Quartet (Tracks 3 – 6)
Peter Sheppard Skærved, Mihailo Tranda lovski, violins
Morgan Goff, viola
Neil Heyde, cello
Listen To This Recording:
- Capriccio for Violin and Piano (1965)
- Tombeau for Solo Piano (1966–69)*
- I The Caller on the Shore –
- Moments of Being —
- Dance on the Shore
- II The Meeting
String Quintet (2012, rev. 2014)*
*FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘…[Jeremy Dale Roberts] supervise these recordings which have produced a realistic sound with plenty of impact. The CD stands as a living memorial and the content, quality of the performances and documentation holds up very well against that goal. I am very ready to belief that the performers worked closely with the composer over a period of years and that “he was involved with every aspect of these recordings, from initial rehearsals up to the final edits.” The encyclopaedic notes are by Martin Anderson, Peter Sheppard Skaerved and Roderick Chadwick.’
—Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International
Arcana.FM :
‘Does it all work?
Indeed. To say that Dale Roberts is a connoisseur’s composer should not imply his music is hermetic or obscure; rather it assumes the listener’s commitment and goodwill in the process of assessing the piece at hand. Each of these recordings benefited from the composer’s active participation during the recording sessions. Peter Sheppard Skaerved is at his imperious best, whether in partnership with Chadwick or as part of an augmented Kreutzer Quartet; while his and Chadwick’s booklet notes deftly combine musical discussion with personal recollection.
Is it recommended?
Absolutely. This is now the best point of entry into Dale Roberts’s output, and one hopes for more issues from Toccata.’
—Arcana.FM
Art Music Lounge :
‘I was immediately struck by his music’s interesting contours, using wide intervallic leaps within an otherwise melodic framework, in the Capriccio which opens this disc. […] Violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved clearly has a gorgeous tone as well as perfect technical command of his instrument, and happily pianist Roderick Chadwick is clearly on the same emotional wavelength. […]
This is fascinating modern music, emotional and moving, played with great technique and commitment by the Kreutzer Quartet and guest cellist Bridget MacRae. Well worth seeking out!’
—Lynn René Bayley, Art Music Lounge