Prima Facie Records

Shadow Journey (PFCD036)

21st Century Music for Harpsichord

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Alessandro Ponti: In Fuga da Verona - Maggie Cole, harpsichord
Patrick John Jones: Santoor Suite - Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord
Aled Smith: Box Toccata - Goska Isphording, harpsichord
Ivan Božičević: Summer in the World - Elaine Funaro, harpsichord
Gavin Wayte: Hot to Trot Love Bot - Elaine Funaro, harpsichord
Enno Kastens: Schattenreise - Penelope Cave, harpsichord
Jung Sun Kang: Stick Boy and Match Girl in Love - Jane Chapman, harpsichord
Junghae Lee: Improvisation sur les Ondes Chromatiques - Christoph Kaufmann, harpsichord
Thomas Donahue: Five Shapes - Elaine Funaro, harpsichord
Jürgen Kraus: The Ascent of the K517 - Jane Chapman, harpsichord
Satoru Ikeda: Prism - Jane Chapman, harpsichord
Larry Goves: Island surveys (1) - Jane Chapman, harpsichord
Rob Keeley: Two-Part Inventions Nos 6 and 7 - Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord
Gary Carpenter: Fin de Siècle - Goska Isphording - harpsichord

About this disc

"This landmark recording is a showcase, not only of new and remarkably diverse works for harpsichord, but also of an unprecedented assembly of renowned harpsichordists whose credentials for premièring these works are unparalleled. Most notably, the music on this disc is the culmination of a ground-breaking event: the first international composition competition for harpsichord to be run in Britain, launched in 2012 by the British Harpsichord Society to mark the tenth anniversary of its founding. Over ninety entries from 18 countries were adjudicated over two rounds, producing a shortlist of solo works which admirably demonstrated the qualities sought by the competition: professionalism, integrity and the ability to say something new and exciting about the harpsichord. The first, second and joint-third prize compositions are joined on this disc by seven other competition entries, along with works by the adjudication panel members, comprising a programme of fourteen première recordings. Here then is truly inventive music of our time for an instrument whose historical associations often bely its contemporary relevance: music to challenge and inspire the listener as well as to engage and excite the growing number of harpsichordists who are incorporating contemporary music into their programmes." Pamela Nash

Credits

This disc has been released with the generous support of: The Ida Carroll Trust, The Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust and The British Harpsichord Society
Thanks also go to Mrs Edna Lewis, Mr Ed Pickering and Mr John Turner for their invaluable assistance, and to Mr Danny Butler at Walter Brown Printers, Warrington
The BHS International Composition Competition was supported by: Arts Council England, The Garrick Charitable Trust, The Holst Foundation, The Ida Carroll Trust, Dr George Assousa and Mr David Shepherd at Cadenza Music

Notes on the Recording

Improvisation sur les Ondes Chromatiques was recorded in the Church Dorfkirche Kleinhüningen in Basel, Switzerland on 13th and 14th March 2014 (by kind permission of the church). Recording and editing by Malgorzata Albinska-Frank and Junghae Lee.
Hot to Trot Love Bot, Summer in the World and Five Shapes were recorded at Duke Memorial Chapel, Durham, North Carolina on 2nd-4th January 2014. Session producers: Evan Ritchey and Barbara Wolf. Recording by Christopher Greenleaf
All other works were recorded at Willey Place, Farnham, Surrey on 17th and 18th March 2014 (by kind permission of Mrs Sarah Hard). Recording by Steve Plews. Sound editing by Mike Langley and Pamela Nash.
Three different harpsichords were used for this recording:
- for Improvisation sur les Ondes Chromatiques: Flemish double-manual harpsichord by Yannick van Hove (Aigle, 2007)
- for Hot to Trot Love Bot, Summer in the World and Five Shapes: 18th century Northern European model double manual harpsichord by Richard Kingston, Opus 333
- for all other works: double-manual harpsichord after Blanchet by David Rubio (1984)
Produced by Pamela Nash and Steve Plews

Review

"Produced by Pamela Nash and Steve Plews, "Shadow Journey", a rich sample of new harpsichord works, is sure to interest harpsichord - and contemporary music aficionados. The recording's sound quality is engaging, bright and alive. " Pamela Hickman, Harpsichord & Fortepiano magazine (available from www.hfmagazine.info/), Autumn 2018.

The British Harpsichord Society promotes awareness, enjoyment, study, playing and ownership of harpsichords and related plucked keyboard instruments (such as the spinet and virginals) in Britain. Its aim is to create more public awareness and encourage more people to enjoy and play the harpsichord.