JOHN FOULDS (1880-1939)

 

Three Mantras (from Avatara), Op. 61B

Lyra Celtica, Op. 50 (c. 1925) *

Apotheosis, Op. 18 ** (1909)

Mirage, Op. 21 (1910)

 

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Youth Chorus/ Sakari Oramo

Susan Bickley, mezzo-soprano *

Daniel Hope, violin **

 

John Foulds has been described as a ‘quintessential eccentric’ and as ‘England’s answer to Charles Ives’. When he started composing, Foulds was a fairly typical English late-Romantic but, as he went on, he experimented with Greek modes, extreme chromaticism, bitonality, quarter-tone scales and exoticism. Unfortunately, few of his scores have survived so Foulds is little known today and it is difficult to assess his musical contribution. Sakari Oramo and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra have championed the work of John Foulds, giving first performances of Mirage (“a Straussian evocation of man’s metaphysical aspirations”) and Lyra Celtica.

 

“Daniel Hope is being talked of in some circles as the most important British string player since Jacqueline du Pré; [the Berg/Britten CD] showcases his astonishing skill” (Observer)

 

“I do not think I have heard a finer account of the Berg than Daniel Hope gives here, not only played to technical perfection but with its poignant emotional content… realised to the full.” (Sunday Telegraph)

 

Warner Classics 2564615252