Tuneful, exciting, peaceful, humorous, fascinating- music for woodwind ensemble can be all of these and this new album presents serious and lighter pieces of impressionist and post-Romantic inclination from the 20th century. It includes the premiere recording of the beautiful Suite en Quatre by French female composer Claude Arrieu. FOUR is a project that represents the beginning of a longer journey for London Myriad. It is the first of an audio pair: one which champions existing music and one which carves out new repertoire for wind quartet. The second recording of the pair will be a commission of new works for the same combination and will be realized in the future as FOUR 2. The woodwind quartet in particular provides a unique opportunity for composers to closely explore the individual and very different characteristics, timbres and ranges of each of the four instruments, offering a diverse and evocative scope of compositional colors. Here, from the beautifully textured quartets by Arrieu, Bozza, and Francaix, to the whimsical Travel Notes by Richard Rodney Bennett, the ensemble provides joyful and brilliantly performed pieces that will be appreciated by all.

Tracklist:

3 Pièces Pour Une Musique De Nuit: No. 1, Andantino
3 Pièces Pour Une Musique De Nuit: No. 2, Allegro Vivo
3 Pièces Pour Une Musique De Nuit: No. 3, Moderato
Divertimenti, H. 189: I. Prelude
Divertimenti, H. 189: II. Nocturne
Divertimenti, H. 189: III. Scherzetto
Divertimenti, H. 189: IV. Bagatelle
Woodwind Quartet: I. Allegro
Woodwind Quartet: II. Andante
Woodwind Quartet: III. Allegro Molto
Woodwind Quartet: IV. Allegro Vivo
Travel Notes 2: I. In An Air-Balloon
Travel Notes 2: II. In A Helicopter
Travel Notes 2: III. In A Bath-Chair
Travel Notes 2: IV. Car-Chase
2 Mouvements (Version For Woodwind Quartet): No. 1, Allant
2 Mouvements (Version For Woodwind Quartet): No. 2, Assez Vif Et Rythmé
Suite En Quatre: I. Andante Cantabile
Suite En Quatre: II. Scherzando
Suite En Quatre: III. Adagio
Suite En Quatre: IV. Presto

UPC: 809730858727
Label: Metier
Release Date: 10.18.19
Format: CD

Arrieu / London Myriad - Four (CD)