WILLIAM ALWYN (1905-1985)

 

Piano Music Vol. 1

 

Sonata alla toccata (1945-46)

Green Hills: Andante molto e tranquillo (1935)

Cricketty Mill: Allegretto e piacevole* (1935)

Prelude and Fugue formed on an Indian Scale* (1945)

Haze of Noon: Adagio molto tranquillo* (1925)

Harvest Home* (1938)

Fancy Free* (1926)

April Morn* (1924-26)

Fantasy Waltzes (1954-55)

 

*World Première Recordings

 

Ashley Wass - Piano

 

Piano music featured prominently for the most part of Alwyn’s career. The composer himself was no mean pianist, as evidenced in the varying technical demands made on the pianist in the works included here.

 

The major work on this recording, Fantasy Waltzes, consisting of a suite of eleven virtuoso pieces, is arguably Alwyn’s finest creation for piano solo.

 

Haze of Noon is a dreamy and languid piece, one of several published by OUP for their educational series.

 

Green Hills is a nature poem which inhabits the sound world of John Ireland, while both Fancy Free and April Morn are simpler pieces which nevertheless demonstrate Alwyn’s consummate skill as a composer.

 

Naxos 8570359