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
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