A colourful tribute to the imagination and creative talent that exists in British music today. The culmination of a vibrant series of albums made possible by the generous support of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, this release celebrates the vital role of London Sinfonietta in nurturing and developing new music for the past 40 years. The ensemble gave its anniversary concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 2 December 2008, and three of these recordings were commissioned to mark the occasion: Christian Mason’s ethereal In Time Entwined, In Space Enlaced; Larry Goves’ beautiful setting of Matthew Welton’s poem Springtime, featuring the haunting voice of Juliet Fraser; and Claudia Molitor’s untitled 40 [desk-life], which wittily evokes the external sound world of a composer at work. Kenneth Hesketh’s Detail from the Record was inspired by Japanese folk tales and acclaimed pianist Rolf Hind joins London Sinfonietta’s Principal Violin Clio Gould in a chamber version of James Olsen’s Chameleon Concerto, which subverts the traditional concerto form, blending soloists into each other and an ever-changing orchestral background – a concerto for a musical chameleon.
This release is part of the London Sinfonietta’s 6-volume Jerwood Series, focussing on recent works by young composers working in the UK. The series also celebrates the support the ensemble has given these composers: most of the works were commissioned by or written for the ensemble, and were recorded live at world or London premiere performances.Knussen; Oliver
1 James Olsen: Chameleon Concerto
Clio Gould violin | Rolf Hind piano | London Sinfonietta / David Porcelijn
2 Christian Mason: In Time Entwined, In Space Enlaced
London Sinfonietta / Baldur Bronnimann
3 Larry Goves: Springtime
Juliet Fraser soprano | London Sinfonietta
4 Claudia Molitor: untitled 40 [desk-life]
London Sinfonietta
5 Kenneth Hesketh: Detail from the Record
London Sinfonietta / Oliver Knussen
CD only (not available as a download)
FUNDERS
‘We are tremendously grateful for the support of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, which has enabled us to release these CDs. A recording is the best possible calling card for young composers, and these works deserve the widest audience.’ - London Sinfonietta
RECORDING CREDITS
Chameleon Concerto was recorded live (UK Premiere) on 19 February 2005 at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London. First broadcast on Hear and Now, BBC Radio 3, 16 April 2005. Producer: Philip Tagney
In Time Entwined, In Space Enlaced, Springtime and untitled 40 [desk life] were recorded on 2 December 2008 at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London. First broadcast on Hear and Now, BBC Radio 3, 13 December 2008. Producers: Peter Meanwell & Felix Carey.
Detail from the Record was recorded live (World Premiere) on 30 May 2006 by Ian Dearden for Sound Intermedia at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Published by Schott Music.
Editing and mastering: Ian Dearden for Sound Intermedia.
Catalogue number: SINF CD2-2009