Peter DICKINSON: Chamber and Solo Works
As pianist, writer and academic, Peter Dickinson – Lancashire-born in 1934 – has been one of the mainstays of British musical life for decades. Alongside these activities he is also a highly regarded composer, whose music, reconciling modernism and tradition, speaks directly to its listeners. This album presents works from the earlier part of his career, with an expressive range between delicate lyricism and wild, freewheeling energy, animated by a keen sense of instrumental drama.
Peter Sheppard Skærved, violin (Tracks 1-5, 9, 10, 13, 14)
Roderick Chadwick, piano (Tracks 1-3, 10, 14)
Kreutzer Quartet (6-9, 11-12)
Listen To This Recording:
-
Sonata for Violin and Piano (1961)
- I Fast
- II Slow
- III Fast
- Air
- Metamorphosis
- I Allegro molto
- II Lento
- III Allegro misterioso
- Fantasia
- Lullaby
- I crotchet = 50/crotchet = c. 144
- II Rag
- Quintet
- Tranquillo
Air for solo violin (1959)
Metamorphosis for solo violin (1955, rev. 1971)
String Quartet No. 1 (1958)
Fantasia for solo violin (1959)
Lullaby from The Unicorns for violin and piano (1967)
String Quartet No. 2 (1976)
Quintet Melody for solo violin (1956)
Tranquillo for violin and piano (1986, rev. 2018)
First Recordings
MusicWeb International :
‘ The sound quality is superb and the detail of this often-complex music is clear and bright. As this is a CD full of premieres, I have nothing to compare performances with, yet everything tells me that we have definitive performances of all nine works. Special mention must go to Peter Sheppard Skærved whose technique both is compelling and spellbinding.
I enjoyed and appreciated virtually every bar of these varied and sometimes challenging pieces. Peter Dickinson is a composer with whom I can do business: I look forward to subsequent releases from his considerable catalogue.’
—John France, MusicWeb International
MusicWeb International :
‘The music on this disc is varied and interesting and the wonderful booklet notes by the composer both introduce and highlight specific aspects of the music; that’s very helpful. The performances of all the works are excellent with the first violin of the Kreutzer Quartet also playing the violin in the other works. These are committed performances, which help the listener engage with the music, I hope that Toccata Classics will go on to record more of Peter Dickinson’s exciting chamber music with these musicians, as I for one will be more than interested. The recording is also blessed with excellent recorded sound which helps you get the most from this music.’
—Stuart Sillitoe, MusicWeb International