It must be unusual to say the least to have a launch party for a record with no less than five of the composers of the music present – and, had it not been for British Rail who stranded Kevin Malone in Manchester, there would have been six! But so it was for the launch of Madeleine’s new CD, Violin conversations – a selection of pieces for violin and piano many of which had been written for Madeleine and four of which were recorded with the composers playing the piano.
Just to tick off the list, the composers there on the night were Wendy Hiscocks, Douglas Knehans, Martin Butler, Richard Blackford and Howard Blake. Also represented on the disc, if not present at the launch were Joseph Horovitz who died last year, Errollyn Wallen (the piece commissioned by Madeleine), Thea Musgrave and Alan Rawsthorne who died in 1971. The BBC recording of Madeleine and the pianist Andrew Ball (who also died last year) playing Rawsthorne’s Violin Sonata opens the disc.
We heard a selection of the pieces to whet out appetites after which several of the composers (this is Douglas Knehans and Richard Blackford) joined Madeleine to talk about the experience of writing and indeed recording with the performer – an interesting and much more collaborative process than locking oneself in a darkened room to create.
As for the disc – the the lone violin and the exclusive pairing of the violin and piano made for a wonderfully spare and pure experience – many of the pieces hauntingly beautiful. Included are Richard Blackford’ Worlds Apart commissioned by Madeleine and composed as a gift to her during lockdown. It was first recorded (by Madeleine in her front room!) as part of the lockdown Musicians for Musicians album Many Voices on a Theme of Isolation – its live premiere being at one of Salon Music’s garden lockdown concerts in August 2020. Also included Kevin Malone’s ‘Your call is important to us’ – a playful dialogue between the endless recorded telephone messages to which we are subjected on a daily basis and an ever more frustrated violin ‘caller’!
The disc is available from Naxos here – where you can also listen to Madeleine and Errollyn Wallen talking and playing snippets of Sojouner Truth.
The very striking painting which adorns the sleeve of the record is by Madeleine’s mother.
Meanwhile , don’t forget that, if you are free tomorrow you could catch Madeleine live with her London Chamber Ensemble…
Thursday 29th June 2pm – St James’ Church Sussex Gardens W2 3UD
FREE concert with Madeleine Mitchell’s London Chamber Ensemble
Herbert Howells – String Quartet No 3 – newly discovered version
Franz Schubert – Cello quintet D956
Other Upcoming Concerts
Thursday 13th July – Thomas Hardy poems set to music
Some of Thomas Hardy’s most famous poems were written following the death of his first wife Emma from whom he had been estranged for 20 years. These lyric poems, expressingly deeply felt ‘regret and remorse’, are regarded as the peak of Hardy’s poetic achievement.
They inspired Australian mezzo soprano Lotte Betts-Dean – who, in turn inspired composer Arthur Keegan. The result is a song cycle which, together with guitarist James Girling, they are recording this autumn.
£28 to include buffet supper and wine – buy tickets here.
Saturday 9th September – The Voice Trio – Lighter Patterns of Love
On 9th September we are going back to Highgate School Chapel for a recital by the lovely Voice Trio, Victoria, Clemmie and Emily, who gave us such a wonderful evening devoted to Hildbrand of Bingen eighteen months ago.
The concert will start at 7 with a short interval for a (free) glass of wine in the quadrangle. For more details see the booking page.
Ticket cost- £20 to include a glass of wine.
You can book here.
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