Piper's Dream

The Ensemble's recording for Deux-Elles (DXL1033) includes the specially commissioned Arctic Circle (for wind quintet and piano), Winter Music (for wind quintet) and Le Temps Viendra (for oboe, clarinet and piano). The performers are Emma Williams (flute), Emma Fielding (oboe), Fiona Cross (clarinet), Julian Faultless (horn), Rosina Alter (bassoon) and Richard Shaw (piano). The recording also includes Cecilia McDowall's flute & piano duos and piano solos. 

"Arctic Circle (2001) for piano & wind, takes as its inspiration two myths associated with the Northern Lights, one Scottish, the other Finnish. In some Scottish legends the Northern Lights are called Nimble Dancers and are perceived either as warriors or as benign giants that dance in the sky. In the outer sections of Arctic Circle I imagine these capricious Celtic Giants moving with dexterity across the sky, their shapes reflected in the sea..." Cecilia McDowall

Now available...        

Ensemble Lumière's latest CD in collaboration with composer Joe St. Johanser is now available from Robosoft Music, with Emma Feilding (oboe), Emma Williams (flute), Siona Crosdale (bassoon), Tom Gould (violin), Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), Oliver Wilson (viola), Oliver Coates (cello), Richard Shaw (piano) & Hugh Webb (harp).  The three works are Raven -  a Saga in nine fragments, Pierrot Alone, and Goblin Fruit.  Raven sets Christina Rossetti's poem A Bird's Eye View, the tragic tale of the shipwreck of a Viking Princess as she sails overseas to her wedding. The actor-manager and poet John Drinkwater (1882-1937) provides the texts for Pierrot Alone, and Goblin Fruit sets Christina Rossetti's fantasy poem of the same title.

Hubert Culot (Music Web): "Happy music making of the highest quality, and I for one really relished every minute of it. Warmly recommended, and I swear to swallow my cap if you do not feel much better after listening to it." 

Robert Matthew-Walker (Musical Opinion): "The performances and recordings maintain the impeccable standards of this enormously interesting young label. I cannot urge you to buy this CD too strongly. I guarantee you will not be disappointed."

Andrew Achenbach (Gramophone): "Performances are as polished as they are sympathetic; the sound is a touch close at times but otherwise admirably real. A most attractive collection."