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David Matthews - Orchestral Works

Label: Chandos

Cat No: CHAN10487

Barcode: 0095115148723

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Orchestral

Release Date: 2nd February 2009

This product has now been deleted. Information is for reference only.

Works

Matthews, David

A Vision and a Journey, op.60
Concerto in Azzurro, op.87
The Music of Dawn, op.50

Artists

Guy Johnston (cello)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor

Rumon Gamba

Works

Matthews, David

A Vision and a Journey, op.60
Concerto in Azzurro, op.87
The Music of Dawn, op.50

Artists

Guy Johnston (cello)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor

Rumon Gamba

About

The BBC Philharmonic and Rumon Gamba showcase three of David Matthews' symphonic poems: The Music of Dawn, A Vision and a Journey and the cello concerto, Concerto in Azzuro, performed by Musician of the Year award winner, Guy Johnston. All receive their premiere recording.

The Music of Dawn was inspired by the painting of the same name by British artist Cecil Collins which is used as the artwork for this release. Matthews recalls, ‘I regard him as one of the most important painters of the twentieth century. I was particularly struck by the painting called ‘The Music of Dawn’. It immediately suggested music as, from its title, it was obviously intended to do. Cecil Collins was the most musical of painters, and I hope that he would have liked the idea of his painting being evoked in the medium of orchestral sound.’ Richly scored for large orchestra, the work is an evocation of the sun, beginning in the pale light of early dawn, and ending in the blaze of noon. The majority of the work was composed at Norman Del Mar’s house in Cornwall.

Both A Vision and a Journey and Concerto in Azzurro were commissioned by the BBC. The ‘symphonic fantasia’ A Vision and a Journey was first performed by the BBC Philharmonic in 1993. Concerto in Azzurro is composed as a single, large-scale movement lasting just under 25 minutes. It derives from the first movement of Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony and a holiday spent on the Island of Lundy, and a vision of blueness found there.

Peter Marchbank of the Guardian wrote of David Matthews: ‘The lyricism shines out and one is instantly aware that this is music by a composer who is very much a part of the great English tradition.’