This album, released by The Gustav Holst Society, with Albion Records, is in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst's birth on 21 September 1874. It is based on chamber works written or arranged for violin with either voice or another instrument, by Holst himself and four composers who were contemporary with him - with a focus on neglected works but including a new arrangement of one very popular piece. Distinguished violinist Hannah Roper is joined by Martin Jacoby at the piano, by soprano Emma Tring and by harpist Valeria Clarke.
Gustav Holst is represented by three works, all of them in previously unrecorded arrangements. Ralph Vaughan Williams's 'The Lark Ascending' is heard in an arrangement for violin and harp by Valeria Clarke. William Hurlstone, who died at the age of 30 in 1906, was highly regarded by his teacher, Sir Charles Stanford. He is represented by the first recording of his 'Four English Sketches', and by two further previously unrecorded works for violin and piano. Rebecca Clarke was a viola player and composer whose work has become better known in recent years. Emma Tring sings her 'Three Irish Country Songs' for voice and violin. We also hear her 'Midsummer Moon' for violin and piano. Ethel Barns, from Watford was a child prodigy, who was already performing in public on both the violin and the piano before going to the Royal Academy at the age of 13. We hear premiere recordings of two pieces for violin and piano.
Hannah Roper studied with Rodney Friend, Mateja Marinkovic (Royal Academy of Music) and James Clark, and was the recipient of the Martin Musical Scholarship of the Philharmonia Orchestra for three consecutive years. She received the inaugural Yehudi Menuhin Prize for string playing whilst reading Music at Cambridge University. She enjoys a varied solo career with a particular focus on English music, and also performs regularly in major venues in the UK and abroad. Her violin, previously played by Lydia Mordkovitch, is by Harris and Sheldon.
Pianist Martin Jacoby has performed throughout the UK as a solo and chamber musician. Better known as a recording artist and composer, Martin has made more than 100 recordings of classical, contemporary and original works. Notable releases include Debussy: 'Images', an album of Mozart's Piano Sonatas as well as two full-length original albums plus an EP of original works featuring the Up North Session Orchestra.
Soprano Emma Tring studied Music at Bristol University and Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is now a successful soloist and ensemble singer in the UK and abroad. As a soloist Emma specialises in contemporary music. John Pickard's song cycle, 'Verlaine Songs', was written for Emma and she recorded it with Martyn Brabbins and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She is a long-term member of the BBC Singers and EXAUDI and she recently joined new vocal ensemble Vox Urbane.
Valeria Clarke is a multi-award-winning harpist based in London - specialising in solo harp performances, event performances, orchestral harp and session recording. She regularly plays harp for orchestras including the LPO and the London Contemporary Orchestra and is principal harpist in the London Electronic Orchestra.
