British Music for Violin and Piano: Elgar, Bridge, Delius, Scott, Ireland (Naxos 8.573790)
Clare Howick, violin; John Paul Ekins, piano
Elgar, Edward: Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 82
Bridge, Frank: Romanze
Serenade
Delius, Frederick: Lullaby for a Modern Baby
Scott, Cyril: Vesperale, Op. 40, No. 2 (arr. R. Lange for violin and piano)*
Bridge, Frank: Moto perpetuo
Scott, Cyril: 2 Sonnets
Bumble-Bees
Bridge, Frank: Country Dance*
Delius, Frederick: Hassan, Serenade (arr. L. Tertis)
Bridge, Frank: Con moto*
Delius, Frederick: Romance for Violin and Piano
Ireland, John: Bagatelle
Bridge, Frank: Romance
Ireland, John: Cavatina
Bridge, Frank: Meditation*
Scott, Cyril: The Gentle Maiden (version for violin and piano)
Elgar, Edward: Mazurka
* Denotes World Premiere recording
Framed by Edward Elgar’s deeply personal Violin Sonata and the bravura fireworks of his Mazurka, this programme is a fascinating look at British music for violin and piano at the turn of the last century. Popular pieces such as Delius’s haunting Serenade can be found alongside premiere recordings such as that of Frank Bridge’s attractive Con moto or Cyril Scott’s contemplative Vesperale. Clare Howick’s recital of British Women Composers can be heard on Naxos 8.572291, ‘in very fine performances that evince total commitment’. (MusicWeb International)