John McCabe - (An) English Recital
A fitting showcase for English piano music and for one of Britain’s finest pianists
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Label: BMS Historic
Magazine Review Date: 10/2009
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
Stereo
Catalogue Number: BMS103CDH
Author: Guy Rickards
Whereas some pianists impress through force of virtuosity, McCabe exceptionally brings the composer’s insights to bear on whatever he performs. Vaughan Williams’s Hymn-Tune Prelude (1928) impresses through its calm, strong polyphony, whereas his Lake in the Mountains (1947, extracted from his film score The 49th Parallel) is a beautifully rendered miniature tone-picture. His Suite, published in 1921, may be a teaching aid but is a splendid concert item in its own right. Of the two Holst pairs, the Nocturne and Jig (Two Pieces, 1930-32, composed for his daughter Imogen) are the weightier, given enjoyably robust performances here; but the Northumbrian Folktunes simply delight.
McCabe takes in his stride not only the folksy soundscapes in Warlock’s masterly Folksong Preludes (1918) but also the vigorous, percussive sections of Ireland’s brilliant Sonatina (1927) or Joubert’s Dance Suite (1958). Bringing out some surprisingly Baxian qualities in the central Quasi lento of the Ireland, McCabe moves to the real thing in a movement from Bax’s Fourth Sonata (1934). By complete contrast, he produces the best account I have heard of Britten’s then-still-new Night-Piece (1963, recorded in 1968 Pye sessions), framed between Moeran’s slight but enjoyable Bank Holiday (1925) and Joubert’s electrifying suite. The re-engineered sound is fine throughout – a fitting testimonial to a truly great pianist.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
SubscribeGramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.