Alexander Soares – Threnodies (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Alexander Soares – Threnodies (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:14:40 minutes | 1,22 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RUBICON

The extreme social trauma that followed The Great War of 1914—18 engulfed Europe. In this context, English composer Frank Bridge is an intriguing figure: his musical language transformed to embrace a radically new harmonic style. Consequently, his popularity waned and it was not until the end of the century that his importance as a leading modernist was appreciated. The programme of this album seeks to illuminate the position of Bridge’s monumental Piano Sonata, by setting it alongside works by the composers who influenced it – Berg and Ravel – and his most famous pupil, Britten. Both the sonata and each movement of Ravel’s suite were dedicated to those who fell in the war. Whilst the repertoire on this disc conveys strikingly varied tones, the title, threnodies – a song of lamentation – reflects the essence of these memorials.

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Alexander Soares – Notations & Sketches (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Alexander Soares – Notations & Sketches (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:11:33 minutes | 1,05 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RUBICON

With the shadow of the Second World War hanging over a fractured Europe, revolutionary musical change was taking place, nowhere more so than in Paris in 1945. At first glance, combining Boulez, Dutilleux and Messiaen in a single programme may seem an uneasy balance, given the tensions between them, in-light of their divergent compositional paths. Nevertheless a great deal of mutual respect and admiration existed between them as they each established themselves as major creative forces. Boulez remained very attached to his former teacher Messiaen, and in his role as a conductor has done much to champion the latter’s music. Dutilleux also revered Messiaen as both a good friend and a musician, and has also praised much of Boulez’s work. It is in this context that this album seeks to illuminate their intriguing development across the second half of the century, by placing major works from each composer alongside shorter sketches.

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