Geoffrey Allen was born in the UK in 1927 and after studying at Oxford moved to Australia where he set up a music publishing imprint and facilitated recordings of Australian music. He is still very active and is busy with several projects and compositions. His chamber music is widely neo-Romantic and rhapsodic, repeating motifs indifferent ways, constantly evading fixed tonality but retaining a soft and mellifluous melodic flow. Thus: his music is distinctive and strongly constructed but very attractive-post-modernist in the best sense. This collection of woodwind works begins with the 1964 Bassoon Sonata-more edgy, redolent of Prokofiev or Hindemith-through to the 2007 Fantasy Trio, polytonal, rhapsodic with beautiful textures. All works are receiving their first commercial recording. The four musicians are among Australian's finest-among many other activities, Waye and Meyer are principals with the West Australian Symphony; Walpole is an internationally-known freelance and Wickham is acknowledged to be among Australia's most pre-eminent accompanists.

Tracklist:

Bassoon Sonata, Op. 9: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Bassoon Sonata, Op. 9: II. Allegro Scherzando - Alla Marcia - Tempo I
Bassoon Sonata, Op. 9: III. Allegro Con Spirito
Outback Sketches, Op. 58: No. 1, Aubade
Outback Sketches, Op. 58: No. 2, Desert Noon
Outback Sketches, Op. 58: No. 3, Bush Sundown
Pastorale, Op. 34 No. 1
Bassoon Sonatina, Op. 34 No. 2: I. Moderato Ma Con Affrettato
Bassoon Sonatina, Op. 34 No. 2: II. Adagietto
Bassoon Sonatina, Op. 34 No. 2: III. Allegro - Appena Moderato
Fantasy Trio, Op. 70: I. Poco Andante
Fantasy Trio, Op. 70: II. Allegro Giocoso - Andante
Fantasy Trio, Op. 70: III. Andante Di Sogno
Fantasy Trio, Op. 70: IV. Allegro Moderato - Alla Marcia - Tempo I - Poco Andante

UPC: 809730860720
Label: Metier
Release Date: 9.11.20
Format: CD

Allen / Waye / Wickham - Music for Woodwinds (CD)