Ronald Center: Instrumental and Chamber Music, Volume Three
Ronald Center (1913–73) is sometimes described as ‘the Scottish Bartók’, and his music does indeed capture some of the wild energy of the Scottish landscape in a style of Bartókian asperity. It also shows affinities with the music of Busoni, Debussy, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Vaughan Williams, absorbed into an individual style that is audibly Scots. Center was essentially a miniaturist, his meticulous craftsmanship allowing him to encompass a range of emotions – heart-felt sorrow, grim humour, relaxed lyricism, dark despair – in a crisp and succinct manner, animated by sharp wit and irony. Many of the works recorded here also show off his skill as a contrapuntist and one, surprisingly, is a rumba.
Tamás Fejes, violin
Balázs Renczés, cello
Christopher Guild, piano
Listen To This Recording:
Sonata for Violin and Piano (13:03)
- I. Allegro (3:43)
- II. Andante con espressione (4:29)
- III. Allegro feroce (4:51)
- Little Canon* (0:54)
- Duet* (2:24)
Giglot and Toccata (publ. 1988)* (2:58)
- Rumba (Giglot) (2:07)
- Toccata (1:21)
From Childhood (publ. 1988)* (2:58)
- Merry-go-round (0:40)
- The Bogey-man (0:49)
- Doll’s Waltz (0:50)
- March (0:39)
- Burlesca* (3:37)
Suite for Piano (13:25)
- I. Allegro molto* (5:15)
- II. Andante (Children at Play) (6:00)
- III. Allegro vivace* (2:10)
- Phantasy (1940)* (7:18)
- Melodie (1942)* (2:25)
Seven Preludes* (9:56)
- Allegro (1:00)
- Poco adagio (1:55)
- Vivace (0:49)
- Andante (1:07)
- Allegro (1:59)
- Lento (1:55)
- Molto allegro (energico) (1:11)
Prelude and Fugue in E* (3:18)
- Prelude. Allegretto (1:14)
- Fugue. Allegro moderato (2:04)
Prelude and Fugue in G-Sharp* (2:12)
- Prelude (1:02)
- Fugue (1:10)
Prelude and Fugue in A* (4:56)
- Prelude. Allegro molto (2:15)
- Fugue. Allegro ma non troppo (2:41)
Prelude, Aria and Finale* (7:59)
- Prelude. Allegro (2:01)
- Aria. Allegro (2:37)
- Finale. Poco adagio – Allegro (3:21)
*First Recordings
MusicWeb International :
‘The music is immensely impressive and will surely enhance Center’s status as a composer of real significance. […] One word which can be applied to the entire disc is “energy”, creative and physical. […]
So what of the performances? They are excellent, thoroughly idiomatic and responsive to the variety of mood. The piano sound has depth as well as immediacy and Guild’s handling is always totally assured. […]
So hats off to Christopher Guild for steering an intriguing course through a whirlpool of inventiveness. ‘
—John Purser, MusicWeb International
MusicWeb International :
‘The composer is said to have been timid and shy, but this is the music of a man with much to say and a passion to say it. […]
Contrapuntally[ The preludes and fugues] are a tour de force. […]
I have come to hold Ronald Center’s music in high regard. It is original, entertaining, varied and rhythmically complex. Christopher Guild, who has now recorded all of the piano pieces, is the best guide one could have, with his love and admiration for the man and the music.’
—Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International
MusicWeb International :
‘The entire Sonata [for violin and piano] gets a brilliant performance by Tamás Fejes and Christoper Guild. This powerful, accomplished composition deserves its place in the repertoire. […]
Center has created a delightful mood picture with his Latin-infused Rumba. […]
All [of the From Childhood’s pieces] can be described as charming and beautifully wrought. […]
The Burlesca, another toccata, combines several diverse sections into a satisfying whole. […]
If there ever was a collection of short pieces that ought to be in every Scottish pianist’s gift, it is the remarkable Seven Preludes. […]
But there is a consistency [Preludes and Fugues], satisfying and often surprisingly moving. […]
This release concludes Christopher Guild’s imaginative survey of Ronald Center’s complete piano music. I have already commended the documentation. The recording is also outstanding. Clearly, the performance is totally engaged and utterly sympathetic.
For all enthusiasts of Scottish classical music, this is an absolute must. One hopes that Toccata Records will explore beyond the piano and chamber works, to the Symphony, the Sinfonietta and the tone-poem The Coming of Cuchulainn.’
—John France, MusicWeb International