Elspeth Wyllie

Enigmas

ELGAR’S revelatory piano transcription of his ‘ENIGMA VARIATIONS’ with rare chamber works by BRITISH COMPOSERS, released by Divine Art Records.

A natural voice that demands to be heard. Well worth your listening contemplation. MusicWeb

LISTEN TO SAMPLE TRACKS

To coincide with Elgar’s 160th birthday in June 2017, Divine Art released a recital recording featuring Elgar’s own solo piano transcription of his much-loved Enigma Variations.  Elgar originally extemporised and sketched out the work at the piano, and his transcription highlights the intimate nature of a work inspired by friends and acquaintances.

This is complemented by a varied collection of masterful works by British composers. Edmund Rubbra’s Two Sonnets by William Alabaster for trio are exquisite, and this is the first modern-day recording with a mezzo, as Rubbra intended. The recital also features the premiere recording of Nicholas Sackman’s Folio I for solo piano – a lively suite originally written for his family. Edwin York Bowen’s Sonata for flute and piano is perhaps familiar to flautists, and Kenneth Leighton’s Elegy to cellists; however both works deserve wider exposure as staples of post-romantic concert repertoire.

ELSPETH is joined by acclaimed young artists:

  • CLAIRE OVERBURY flute – guest player with Britten Sinfonia, the RPO, and the Hallé orchestra
  • HETTI PRICE cello – appearances at the Southbank and on BBC Radio 3 In Tune
  • ALEXA BEATTIE viola – guest player with Munich Chamber Orchestra, ensemble appearances with Lisa Batiashivili and Kim Kashkashian
  • CATHERINE BACKHOUSE mezzo-soprano – Britten Pears Young Artist 2015, solo appearances with Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Garsington Opera

Officially released 19 May 2017  (Divine Art catalogue no. DDA 25145)

LIST OF WORKS:

  • EDWARD ELGAR – Enigma Variations, Op.36 (Elgar’s own piano transcription)
  • KENNETH LEIGHTON – Elegy for cello and piano
  • EDWIN YORK BOWEN – Sonata for Flute and Piano, Op. 120
  • NICHOLAS SACKMAN – Folio I for solo piano  *premiere recording*
  • EDMUND RUBBRA – Two Sonnets by William Alabaster for medium voice, viola and piano, Op.87

For further information please contact:

Kathryn Marshall – Kathryn@divineartrecords.com