Stephen Dodgson: Chamber Music, Volume Two: Three Quintets
These three quintets by the London-born Stephen Dodgson (1924–2013) continue the exploration of his chamber music on Toccata Classics. Dodgson’s musical language inherited something of Shostakovich’s irony, Janáček’s spiky energy and Britten’s polished clarity, occasionally reaching further into the past in passages of Purcellian dignity, all animated with a gentle harmonic warmth of Dodgson’s own. The result, in a typically English paradox, manages to be both elusive and direct.
Tippett Quartet
Emma Abbate, piano (Tracks 1-4, 8-10)
Susan Monks, cello (Tracks 5-7)
Listen To This Recording:
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Piano Quintet No. 1 in C (1966)
- I Largo e sostenuto – Allegro con brio
- II Andantino
- III Allegro assai
- IV Maestoso
- I Allegro moderato
- II Andante
- III Allegretto
- I Allegro comodo
- II Alla Fantasia – Allegretto
- III Moderato e pesante
String Quintet (1986)
Piano Quintet No. 2 (1999)
Bob Stevenson :
‘Whilst being recognisably English his music is difficult to describe as being like that of other composers (with the possible exception of Janacek, whom Dodgson admired) because its voice, like that of Britten, is relatively original.
[…]
There is no competition but, fortunately, all the performances are absolutely splendid and quite beautifully recorded and balanced, with a pleasingly wide sound stage. The piano sound in particular is exemplary. Booklet notes are by John Warrack and are models of their kind. Toccata can be proud of this generously-filled offering which is a very worthwhile and welcome addition to the discography of an unjustly neglected composer.’
—Bob Stevenson, MusicWeb International