Composer: Adrian Sutton
Performer: Fenella Humphreys
Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Michael Seal
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Chandos
Catalogue: CHAN20349
Release: 2024
Size: 309 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Violin Concerto
01. I. Thermals
02. II. Far Cliffs
03. III. Life Force
04. Short Story
05. A Fist Full of Fives
War Horse Orchestral Suite
06. I. Devon at Peace
07. II. First Gallop
08. III. Crossing the Channel
09. IV. Emilie’s Theme
10. V. The Charge
11. VI. Joey and Albert Reunited
5 Theatre Miniatures
12. No. 1, The Departure
13. No. 2, Intermezzo
14. No. 3, Gigue
15. No. 4, Polperro Beach
16. No. 5, Contagion
Following a devastating cancer diagnosis in September 2022, Adrian Sutton, composer of the music for War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and other National Theatre productions, made a conscious decision to change his focus, committing himself to working solely on music for the concert hall. This has led to a series of major new works, including his Violin Concerto which received its world première at the Southbank Centre in June 2023, played by Fenella Humphreys and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Adrian commented: ‘We all have limited time – and resources. How to make best use of them? In my situation, there’s only one answer: avoid egregious waste of both time and energy ruminating on things I can’t change. Instead, I can choose how I react to the facts – and I’m choosing not to be a victim.’ This new album of world-première record ings reflects the composer’s new focus. Of the album, Adrian Sutton says: ‘Here’s the real musical me. My core musical DNA. The Violin Concerto in particular (being a violinist myself) is for me the main course on this disc, but the other works are a showcase for what I’ve always been about… ranging from the bracing and instrumentally challenging A Fist Full of Fives through to orchestral suites derived from my theatre works. I’m very proud of them all, and pleased to have had the opportunity to share them.’