Ferguson, Bliss & Holloway: Chamber Music Wigmore Soloists

• Howard Ferguson (1908 - 1999): Octet, Op. 4:
• 1Ferguson: Octet, Op. 4: I. Moderato05:28
• 2Ferguson: Octet, Op. 4: II. Allegro scherzoso03:38
• 3Ferguson: Octet, Op. 4: III. Andantino05:22
• 4Ferguson: Octet, Op. 4: IV. Allegro feroce05:37
• Arthur Bliss (1891 - 1975): Clarinet Quintet, F. 20:
• 5Bliss: Clarinet Quintet, F. 20: I. Moderato05:51
• 6Bliss: Clarinet Quintet, F. 20: II. Allegro molto07:41
• 7Bliss: Clarinet Quintet, F. 20: III. Adagietto espressivo08:24
• 8Bliss: Clarinet Quintet, F. 20: IV. Allegro energico06:15
• Robin Holloway (b 1943): Serenade in C Major, Op. 41:
• 9Holloway: Serenade in C Major, Op. 41: I. Marcia06:46
• 10Holloway: Serenade in C Major, Op. 41: II. Menuetto alla tarantella03:22
• 11Holloway: Serenade in C Major, Op. 41: III. Andante05:51
• 12Holloway: Serenade in C Major, Op. 41: IV. Menuetto - Trio05:28
• 13Holloway: Serenade in C Major, Op. 41: V. Finale04:00
• Total Runtime01:13:43

Info zu Ferguson, Bliss & Holloway: Chamber Music

Following their critically acclaimed Albums of Schubert (BIS-2597), Mozart and Birchall (BIS-2647), works for clarinet trio (BIS-2535) and, more recently, Beethoven and Berwald (BIS-2707), the Wigmore Soloists now turn their attention to twentieth-century English chamber works which, while eschewing some of the continent’s modernist tendencies, are both deeply personal and supremely written, highlighting the specific colours of each of the instruments. Howard Ferguson’s Octet, a direct and engaging work, was the first of his works to attract attention. Ferguson’s skill is brilliantly demonstrated in this tonally ambiguous work, which takes its instrumentation from Schubert’s famous Octet. The main characteristic of Sir Arthur Bliss’s Clarinet Quintet, like those of Mozart and Brahms with the same instrumental line-up, is its intense, overtly emotional lyricism, but the sunny, extrovert aspects of Bliss’s character ultimately prevail in the brilliantly energetic finale. Robin Holloway’s Serenade in C for octet is the most recent work on this disc, and also features the instrumentation of Schubert’s Octet, which the composer acknowledges as a model. Few contemporary composers display as keen a sense of humour as Holloway who wished here to give “an affectionate twist to tonal common practice and light-music cliches all the way from Biedermeier Vienna to Southend Pier”.

Wigmore Soloists

Wigmore Soloists
Formed in 2020, Wigmore Soloists is a chamber ensemble made up of a roster of outstanding musicians, led by Isabelle van Keulen and Michael Collins and created in collaboration with John Gilhooly, director of Wigmore Hall. The innovative en - semble performs repertoire both old and new, and commissions leading composers to expand further upon the extensive catalogue of chamber music works. The large core line-up of string quintet, wind quintet and piano makes it possible to perform a wide and varied repertoire and the members are dedicated to revitalising great works at the highest artistic level. Taking the name of one of the world’s most iconic concert halls (the first time an ensemble has been given this honour), the group gives regular concerts at Wigmore Hall and in other major venues around the world.

Booklet für Ferguson, Bliss & Holloway: Chamber Music