A new disc of solo piano music by Imogen Holst, Susan Spain-Dunk, Anna McClure and Welsh composer Luke Whitlock will be released on 8 November.
Prelude and Dance (Prima Facie PFCD244)
Duncan Honeybourne (Piano)
Imogen Holst was a talented and prolific composer, a pillar of twentieth century classical music, whose sizable body of work remains largely neglected. Prima Facie releases here the recording premiere of a selection of original solo piano music by Holst, including Prelude and Dance (Faber) composed in the year WWII broke out, along with an equally confident student work, her Theme and Variations (Faber). Holst influenced generations of music students as a teacher, and this recording features two sets of didactic works including Six Pictures from Finland (OUP), and Five Short Pieces (OUP).
This release also includes the recording premiere of Two Piano Preludes by Susan Spain-Dunk, who was the second women ever to conduct at the Proms. Two world premieres of a more personal and intimate nature complete this collection, firstly by composer Anna McClure, her For Cal suite reflecting upon the passing of her eldest son. Finally, music by Luke Whitlock, who devised this recording project; his contemplative Prayers and Reflections is a suitable calming way to conclude.
Imogen Holst (1907-1984)
1. Prelude and Dance (1939), recording premiere
2. Theme and Variations (1926), recording premiere
Six Pieces from Finland (1934), recording premiere
3. On The Lake
4. The Dancer in The Red Skirt
5. The Old Woodcutter
6. The Spinner’s Song
7. A Shower Among the Birch Trees
8. Night Piece
Five Short Pieces (1934), recording premiere
9. Prelude
10. March
11. Canon
12. Toccata
13. Nocturne
Anna McClure (b.1970)
For Cal, a suite for solo piano (2023), world premiere
14. Findhorn
15. Cal’s Song
16. Transition
17. Home
18. Wild Mountain Time
Susan Spain-Dunk (1880-1962)
19. Piano Prelude No 1 (1941), recording premiere
20. Piano Prelude No 2 (1941), recording premiere
Luke Whitlock (b.1978)
Prayers and Reflections (2022-24), world premiere
21. Morning Prayer
22. Reflections in the Rain
23. Midday Prayer
24. Afternoon Reflection
25. Prayer at Evening
26. Reflections Towards the End of Day
27. Prayer at the Close
Duncan Honeybourne enjoys a diverse profile as a pianist and in music education. Following his concerto debuts at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and the National Concert Hall, Dublin, he made recital debuts in London, Paris and at international festivals in Belgium and Switzerland. Commended for his “gripping performances” (The Times), “glittering performances” (International Piano) and “great technical facility and unfailing imagination” (Musical Opinion), he has toured extensively as soloist and chamber musician, broadcasting frequently on BBC Radio 3 and worldwide. Many recordings reflect his long association with twentieth and twenty-first century British piano music.
Recording Details
Recorded at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Hereford, UK, 7th April & 6th May 2024
Producer Luke Whitlock
Engineer Steve Plews
Editor Simon Crosby Buttle & Phil Hardman
Booklet design Simon Crosby Buttle
Photograph of Imogen Holst at music desk, © Britten Pears Arts.
Photographer Nigel Luckhurst, 1975.
Image courtesy of Britten Pears Arts (brittenpearsarts.org)
Ref: HOL/2/11/10/7
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