Composer: Philip Spratley
Performer: Linda Merrick, John Turner, Tracey Redfern, Eira Lynn Jones
Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Manchester Sinfonia
Conductor: Barry Wordsworth, Philip Spratley
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0088
Release: 2009
Size: 316 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Sinfonietta, Op. 6
01. I. Pezzo poco serioso
02. II. Arioso
03. III. Scherzo
04. IV. Pezzo meno serioso
Clarinet Concertino, Op. 27, “Byard’s Leap”
05. I. Cadenza – Andante pastorale
06. II. Larghetto e desolato
07. III. Allegro non troppo
Recorder Concertino, Op. 26, “A Gallery of Cats”
08. I. Alla giga
09. II. Alla pavan
10. III. Corante
11. IV. Lamentoso
12. V. Ostinato
13. VI. Alla valse
14. VII. Rigadoon
Suite, Op. 12b, “In Outlaw Country”
15. I. Preludio
16. II. Notturno
17. III. Scherzo
18. IV. Lullaby
19. V. Finale
The music of Philip Spratley (b. Nottinghamshire, 1942) will be a revelation – quite how a composer of this stature can get under the radar remains to be explained.
This CD reveals the freshness and originality of this immediately attractive voice in British music.
Spratley has his roots in English folksong and his compositions are strongly evocative of the countryside – though animated by a rhythmic vivacity and drive that recalls Shostakovich, Britten and Tippett.
Spratley’s music also abounds in memorable melodies and his ability to write tunes with the ring of folksong about them reveals a true heir of Holst and Vaughan Williams.