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.
One of London’s newest young professional choirs Inchant and harpist Anwen Mai Thomas, led by conductor Emma Warren, host a relaxed evening of Christmas music, both traditional and contemporary. The event, which includes Stephen Dodgson’s two upper-voice carols Falan-Tiding and The Running Carol (from his ‘Christmas Collection’), takes place in the atmospheric Grade-II listed Belsize Community Library🌀 Over the course of the evening, we’ll hear three 20-25 minute sets of festive music: 🎶 Set 1: a capella choral music with Inchant 🎶 Set 2: harp music with Anwen Mai Thomas 🎶 Set 3: Inchant and Anwen join forces to perform ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ by Benjamin[...]
Award-winning choir Sonoro and special guest Andy Hamilton – one of Britain’s best-loved performers and writers – present an evening celebrating the joy of Christmas with festive choral favourites, new settings of traditional texts, and beautiful arrangements of familiar melodies. Featuring Stephen Dodgson’s beautiful miniature Winter for upper voices and music by Rutter, Howells, McDowall, Lauridsen, and the world premiere of Winter Nights by Michael Higgins. Carol Barnett Angelus ad virginam William Mathias A babe is born arr. John Rutter Wexford Carol Herbert Howells A spotless Rose Cecilia McDowall There is no rose Martin Bussey Balulalow Adolphus Hailstork The Lamb arr. Robert Lucas Pearsall In dulci jubilo Michael Higgins Winter nights (world premiere) Bob Chilcott Nova! nova! arr. Suzzie Vango Gaudete Stephen Dodgson Winter Morten Lauridsen O magnum[...]
Award-winning choir Pegasus and a stellar group of instrumentalists and soloists open the Barnes Music Festival with a concert that pairs Bach and Stephen Dodgson’s Magnificats, ahead of Dodgson’s centenary on 17th March, conducted by Festival Director James Day. Tickets will be available via the Barnes Music Festival website.
The versatile chamber ensemble Karolos perform Stephen Dodgson’s String Trio no. 2 at the Conway Hall alongside a selection of works by Bach, Schubert and Mozart. Renowned for the energy and vitality of their concerts as well as their extraordinary musicianship, they perform a broad repertoire ranging from classics to recent commissions. The group previously recorded the trio along with a number of Dodgson works to great acclaim. “a dynamic, virtuoso chamber collective of first-rate players.” Gramophone Magazine Programme Schubert – String Trio in B flat D471 Bach – arr. Mackenzie: Sinfonia No.3 in C minor BWV788 Bach – arr. Mackenzie: Sinfonia[...]
Tenor James Gilchrist and guitarist Mark Eden will be performing a selection of Stephen Dodgson guitar songs at St Mary’s Church in Arkengarthdale at 4pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024 as part of the Swaledale Festival. The programme will also include music by Dowland, Schubert and Alec Roth. James Gilchrist is a leading interpreter of Oratorio and Song, especially the German and English repertoire. He is internationally renowned as one of the evangelists in Bach’s passions and oratorios and maintains an ongoing interest in older music, regularly performing as a soloist with viol consorts, lutenists and period pianos. Mark Eden is better known as one[...]
The Magnard Ensemble and a cast of soloists perform Stephen Dodgson’s short chamber opera Cadilly alongside his Gipsy Songs at Conway Hall. 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’! A vibrant and comic piece. Programme Dodgson – Sonata Gipps – The Lady of the Lambs Vaughan Williams – Ten Blake Songs for Soprano and Oboe Arnold – Three Shanties Dodgson – Cadilly Pre-concert talk – 5.30pm Concert – 6.30pm Tickets will be available via the[...]