COMPOSERS: Ferguson
LABELS: Chandos
WORKS: Violin Sonata No. 1; Violin Sonata No. 2; Five Irish Folksongs; Discovery; Three Medieval Carols; Four Short Pieces
PERFORMER: Lydia Mordkovitch (violin), Clifford Benson (piano), Sally Burgess (mezzo-soprano), John Mark Ainsley (tenor), etc
CATALOGUE NO: CHAN 9316 DDD
Howard Ferguson is among the most distinguished British composers of our century, and this disc, which includes three works new to the catalogue, serves as an excellent introduction to his art. The second Sonata is a substantial masterpiece, and though Mordkovitch’s tone is not consistently pleasing, her performance certainly captures the music’s dramatic range. Here and elsewhere Benson plays with great sensitivity; indeed, no artist has served this composer better in recent years. Terry Barfoot
Ferguson
Howard Ferguson is among the most distinguished British composers of our century, and this disc, which includes three works new to the catalogue, serves as an excellent introduction to his art. The second Sonata is a substantial masterpiece, and though Mordkovitch’s tone is not consistently pleasing, her performance certainly captures the music’s dramatic range. Here and elsewhere Benson plays with great sensitivity; indeed, no artist has served this composer better in recent years. Terry Barfoot
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:12 pm