What better way to celebrate the wonderful news that John Wallace is receiving Her Majesty’s Medal for Music for 2021, than to release not one, not two, but three CD recordings! It makes for perfect timing – they are recordings you can all enjoy; they include previously unheard works and new composition; and being recorded in 2020, they are a ‘bright positive’ pulled out of an extremely dark and challenging time for us all.
Whilst we all contributed to the end result, each release is truly representative of John’s extreme commitment, innovation and sheer determination to bring music into the world and to enable it to be shared.
Release #1 – Origin of the Species Revisited Volume 2
A new album which includes the Jean-François Bellon Quintettes 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Release #2 – Origin of the Species Revisited Volume 3
A new album which includes the Jean-François Bellon Quintettes 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 (movement iv – the lost movement).
The Origin of the Species Revisited albums were recording projects which had to be rescheduled on numerous occasions due to the restrictions of the pandemic. Yet, in the face of adversity, and with John’s unwaning drive and energy to make things happen, we managed to find a window of opportunity. It provided just enough freedom for us to rehearse, prepare and create these significant legacy recordings of Bellon’s wonderful quintets. We are delighted to have now created the Bellon complete edition, across three volumes, including all 12 of Bellon’s quintets.
Release #3 – The Flow Country
A new single release of James Ross’s suite for piano and brass quintet, which received its world premiere at the Fringe of Gold 2021 festival in November.
Inspired by the stark beauty of the unique and remarkable landscape of the north of Scotland, we were delighted to be able to record with James Ross and release The Flow Country as a special edition single CD.
James’ creativity in combining the sounds and styles of piano and brass quintet to create a compelling atmosphere throughout the suite (Air, Hymn and Reel), is a real joy to play and hear. To contrast with Bellon’s works, which represent the history of brass music, this is such a new composition, it only received its world premiere at the Fringe of Gold 2021 festival on 17th November 2021 – we were thrilled to perform this with James at the opening concert.
Our release today of The Flow Country is also in appropriate celebration of John’s exciting news – not only because of his enthusiasm to turn ideas into reality but also for the stunning landscapes which inspired this work’s creation and which John holds so dear to his heart.