Composer: Ronald Stevenson, Frank Merrick, Savourna Stevenson
Performer: Christopher Guild
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Release: 2017
Size: 1.02 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
01. Merrick: Hebridean Seascape (arr. R. Stevenson for piano)
Stevenson: 3 Scots Fairytales
02. No. 1. What the Fairy Piper Told Me
03. No. 2. What the Fairy Harper Told Me
04. No. 3. What the Fairy Fiddler Told Me
Stevenson: A Carlyle Suite
05. I. Aubade (Morning Song)
06. II. Souvenir de Salon: Jane Welsh Carlyle listens to Chopin
07. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Theme
08. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Theme – Variation 1. In Baroque Style
09. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Variation 2. In Rococo Style
10. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Variation 3. In Romantic Style
11. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Variation 4. In Impressionist Style
12. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Variation 5. Expressionist Style
13. III. Study in Historical Styles on a Theme by Frederick the Great: Variation 6. Sketch for a New Classicality
14. IV. Scherzino – Schottische: Jeannie’s Wit
15. V. Serenade (Evening Song)
Rory Dall Morrison: Rory Dall Morrison’s Harp Book (Arr. R. Stevenson)
16. No. 1. Oran do Iain Breac MacLeoid
17. No. 2. Feill Nan Crann
18. No. 3. A’Cheud Di-Luain d’r Raithe
19. No. 4. Creach na Ciadaoin
20. No. 5. Oran do MhacLeoid Dhun Bheagan
21. No. 6. Fuath nam Fidhleirean
22. No. 7. Cumha Peathar Ruaridh
23. No. 8. Super Tiynearna Leoid
Stevenson: 3 Scottish Ballads
24. No. 1. Lord Randall
25. No. 2. The Dowie Dens O’Yarrow
36. No. 3. Newhaven Fish-Wife’s Cry
27. Stevenson: Lament for a Blind Harper (arr. R. Stevenson for piano)
This second album of piano music by the Scottish composer Ronald Stevenson (1928–2015) focuses on several strands of his irrepressible musical personality.
He was deeply engaged with the folk traditions of Scotland and with Scottish cultural history, and this album contains some exquisitely beautiful realisations of Celtic harp music.
He enjoyed creative friendships with other musicians: the evocative, sonorous Hebridean Seascape reworks music by Frank Merrick, and Lament for a Blind Harper transcribes (for left hand) a moving harp piece by his own daughter, Savourna Stevenson.
He was concerned that music for young pianists should be rewarding, and Three Scots Fairy Tales were written to challenge young players.
The critics loved Volume One, which was released in 2015: American Record Guide reported ‘Gorgeous Steinway, strong and rich bass, clear treble—absolutely everything I could want in a piano, and Guild is a fantastic advocate for this almost unknown music. I can’t wait for Volume 2’, and Fanfare exclaimed: ‘Great joy! […] A welcome from all angles with open arms’.