Bernard Roberts' playing is excellent throughout especially in the way that he can articulate the differing passages and intensities within a single movement... I found this disc to be rewarding and a fine addition to my growing catalogue of Stephen Dodgson discs... These works have for far too long been hidden in the shadows of his works for guitar... A worthy investment for anyone interested in twentieth century piano music in general and the music of Stephen Dodgson in particular.
Announcing the reissue of Stephen Dodgson's Piano Sonatas Vols. 1 and 2, recorded by the late Bernard Roberts in close collaboration with the composer.
Announcing the release today of the first instalment of the Toccata recordings of Stephen Dodgson's music for winds, performed by the Magnard Ensemble. Much of the repertoire brings his sense of fun to the fore, often through rhythmic mischief or an insouciance that recalls Poulenc, but it also has that particularly English strain of lyricism that suggests the impermanence of beauty.
Solway Suite once again demonstrates Dodgson’s impeccable credentials for creating haunting melody, pastel colours and agreeable illustration, and for varying moods... Given the top-notch gallery of players, it is only necessary to relate the excellence of the performances, individually impressive and with meaningful interaction, and the recording captures every sound and nuance.
"Stephen's Concerto No.1 is modern but very appealing – melodic without being ingratiating. The orchestral writing is beautiful but still allows the guitar to cut through. Much as I like the concertos by Rodrigo et al, I find Stephen's work more interesting and concise. I was itching to play it."
These two discs comprise over two and a half hours of Stephen Dodgson’s strongly crafted music, beautifully played... Both discs are an absolute joy, the performances little short of ideal, perfect in intonation and ensemble, lively and delicate as required.
On a personal note, I absolutely love Stephen's Dormi Jesu, and it works so well in this programme – it's a wonderful moment when, at the end of the unconducted trio which has them absolutely mesmerised, you can hear the audience's audible exhalation and you realise they've been holding their breath in wonder!
This disc is a valuable addition to the composer’s growing discography and one that should be snapped up by all devotees of Dodgson’s and twentieth century English music alike.
Those who gravitate to the serious chamber intimacies of the Modern-Tonal yet expect there to be a consistently intricate edge and would like another twist to a kind of Neo-Classical outlook, seek no further.
Due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions, the Barnes Music Festival has been postponed until 15th–30th May. More details to be announced in due course. The Magnard Ensemble and a cast of soloists perform Stephen Dodgson’s short chamber opera Cadilly alongside his Gipsy Songs at the Barnes Music Festival. Cadilly, based on one of the Tales from the Fens by W. H. Barrett, tells the story of a beautiful woman and ‘willing maid’ who is loved by the scholars, their tutors and the townsmen alike but jailed for ‘immoral behaviour’. The performance will take place twice in one evening (at 6pm and 8pm), allowing for a larger audience in[...]
Due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions, the Barnes Music Festival has been postponed until 15th–30th May. More details to be announced in due course. The Magnard Ensemble and a cast of soloists perform Stephen Dodgson’s short chamber opera Cadilly alongside his Gipsy Songs at the Barnes Music Festival. Cadilly, based on one of the Tales from the Fens by W. H. Barrett, tells the story of a beautiful woman and ‘willing maid’ who is loved by the scholars, their tutors and the townsmen alike but jailed for ‘immoral behaviour’. The performance will take place twice in one evening (at 6pm and 8pm), allowing for a larger audience in[...]
Due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions, the Barnes Music Festival has been postponed until 15th–30th May. More details to be announced in due course. Guitarist Michael Butten performs Stephen Dodgson’s Fantasy Divisions in the latter’s much beloved Barnes as part of the Barnes Music Festival. This intimate lunchtime concert, rescheduled from last year, also includes works by Dowland, Bach, Legnani and Albeniz. The intention is to have the concert open to the public to attend in person with suitable modifications in place and also streamed but there will be updates nearer the time. For more details, see http://www.barnesmusicfestival.com.
This concert has been postponed until 23rd October. Pianist Emma Abbate and the Tippett Quartet reunite to perform a concert of quartets and quintets including Stephen Dodgson’s Piano Quintet No. 2 for the Holmes Chapel Music Society. This is a special occasion as this work was originally commissioned by the society. The Tippett Quartet and Abbate went on to record it together in 2017 and now they are bringing it back to its birthplace. Programme Haydn String quartet in B minor op. 33 no. 1 Dodgson Piano Quintet No. 2 (HCMS commission) Puccini Crisantemi Schumann Piano quintet
This concert has been postponed. Pianist Emma Abbate and the Tippett Quartet reunite to perform a concert of quartets and quintets including Stephen Dodgson’s Piano Quintet No. 2 at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Programme Haydn String quartet in B minor op. 33 no. 1 Dodgson Piano Quintet No. 2 (HCMS commission) Puccini Crisantemi Schumann Piano quintet
Pianist Emma Abbate and the Tippett Quartet reunite to perform a concert of quartets and quintets including Stephen Dodgson’s Piano Quintet No. 2 for the Holmes Chapel Music Society. This is a special occasion as this work was originally commissioned by the society. The Tippett Quartet and Abbate went on to record it together in 2017 and now they are bringing it back to its birthplace. Programme Haydn String quartet in B minor op. 33 no. 1 Dodgson Piano Quintet No. 2 (HCMS commission) Puccini Crisantemi Schumann Piano quintet
Pianist Emma Abbate and the Tippett Quartet pair Stephen Dodgson’s Piano Quintet No. 1 with Schumann’s piano quintet in an evening concert for the Whitstable Music Society. Programme Mendelssohn: String quartet in E flat op. 12 Dodgson: Quintet no. 1 in C Schumann: Quintet in E flat op. 44