James Gilchrist talks to Radio 3's Sean Rafferty on In Tune about performing and recording Stephen Dodgson's solo songs, choosing between a medical and musical career, and music in the context of the pandemic.
In a concert devoted to the songs of Stephen Dodgson “Bow-wow” was the last word. Bow they did, and rightly so, and “wow!” is my response. Stephen Dodgson’s music was completely new to me, and I want to know more about this unique and evocative music.
Stephen Dodgson's Suffolk opera is finally on disc in a performance which does the work full justice ... This is a piece full of delightful textures. He is also careful about text, so much of the opera is in arioso-like recitative, ensuring we can follow yet the textures Dodgson creates mean that we enjoy the result ... Throughout, Dodgson links his scenes with atmospheric orchestral interludes which greatly add to the interest of the opera, and Perkins gets fine performances of these from the members of Perpetuo.
Stephen Dodgson's 4-act opera Margaret Catchpole today! With Stephen Dodgson's evocative music and vivid characterisation, we are immersed in the internal battle between Margaret's own good character and values, and her heartfelt loyalty to Will Laud, a smuggler – the man she loves.
This series of chamber music discs from Toccata Classics has been quite a treat. The Magnard Ensemble has recorded another excellent disc. It highlights the skill and expertise of Stephen Dodgson the composer. The variety of music on this disc, with its complex and varied combinations, has shown the Magnard Ensemble at their very best. Excellent playing and another varied program serve to show what a vastly underrepresented composer Dodgson was.
This collection of Dodgson's chamber music for winds, spanning the years 1958 to 2004, displays an arresting sense for unusual timbral blending, as well an elegant and precise Neoclassical construction that honors Stravinsky.
The vibrant and extremely talented young wind instrument ensemble Magnard Ensemble perform Stephen Dodgson’s Sonata for Wind Quintet along with music by Byrd, Mozart, Nielsen and Amy Beach, in an evening concert at the Swaledale Festival. Programme Shostakovich, Dmitri (arr. Shiner) – Prelude in F sharp major op. 87 no.13 Butler, Martin – Down-Hollow Winds Byrd, William (arr. McDermid) – Vigilate from Cantiones Sacrae 1589 Mozart, W.A. (arr. Shiner) – Rondo in A minor K511 Young, Toby – Variations on a Theme of Malcolm Arnold Dodgson, Stephen – Sonata for Wind Quintet Beach, Amy – Pastorale op. 151 Nielsen, Carl –[...]
Karolos perform Stephen Dodgson’s String Trio no. 2 at the Church Stretton Arts Festival. Every member of this dynamic, virtuoso chamber ensemble of classical guitar, violin, viola and ‘cello is an internationally-acclaimed artist. Renowned for the energy and vitality of their concerts as well as their extraordinary musicianship, they perform a broad repertoire ranging from Mozart classics to recent commissions. “a dynamic, virtuoso chamber collective of first-rate players.” Gramophone Magazine Programme Vivaldi – guitar concerto in D major (arranged for violin, viola, cello, guitar) Astor Piazzolla – Bordello Schubert – Quartet D96 for violin (originally flute), viola, guitar and cello Stephen Dodgson – String Trio[...]
Rory McLeery’s vocal ensemble performs a rich and varied programme of renaissance and contemporary works to reflect on Mary, who has been celebrated and venerated in Catholic motets and antiphons since the Middle Ages at the North Norfolk Music Festival. The highly distinguished vocal ensemble presents a programme of music by Ludford, Tallis, Parsons, Byrd, Britten, Panufnik, Dodgson, Weir and McDowall. Works range from the simple lullaby Dormi Jesu by Stephen Dodgson, miraculous cascades of sound by Tallis, Britten’s Hymn to the Virgin, Roxana Panufnik’s complex and emotional Magnificat and Judith Weir’s ebullient Ave Regina Caelorum. Pre-pandemic, the group both recorded[...]