William Alwyn – Clarinet Sonata and Conversations
– Clarinet Sonata
– Oboe Sonata Viola Sonatina
– Suite for Obe and Harp String Trio
– Conversations
Robert Plane, clarinet | Lucy Gould, Violin | Sarah Francis, Oboe | Sarah Jane Bradley, Viola | Lucy Wakeford, Harp | Sophia Rahman, Piano | Hermitage String Trio
(Naxos 8.572425)
‘Gramophone Recommends’
‘Superb technique and tight-reigned clarity…performances and recording both excel.’
BBC Music Magazine
‘This collection of six works reveals Alwyn at his most impressive, always thoughtful in finely crafted works, the Clarinet Sonata with Robert Plane an inspired soloist’
Gramophone (Gramophone Recommends)
‘Dip into this disc of William Alwyn at any point and discover readily attractive music. Wedded to a melodic idiom, the sprightly Clarinet Sonata offers a happy opening, while the bubbling finale of the Oboe Sonata has naughty French inclinations. The creamy Viola Sonatina; a String Trio with some modernisms, and Conversations for violin, clarinet and piano, is surely one of the most intensely beautiful 20th-century scores. Soloists include the clarinet of Robert Plane, and pianist Sophia Rahman. A fabulous release.’
Yorkshire Post
‘Alwyn’s chamber music bristles with piquant ideas. Every phrase has a spark, challenging its interpreters musically and technically while giving the listener a feast of gently angular lyricism. The Clarinet Sonata (Robert Plane, Sophia Rahman) is a virtuosic fantasy-piece bursting with dramatic contrast.’
Financial Times
‘With such a starry line-up of players the high quality of these performances will surely come as no surprise. The Conversations of the 1950s for clarinet, violin and piano is a particular favourite, especially as Robert Plane, Lucy Gould and Sophia Rahman play with such rapt sensitivity and tonal allure. A generous and valuable collection of Alwyn’s chamber music.’
Classic FM magazine