SOMM Recordings announces the first complete survey on album of George Dyson's music for solo piano including five premiere recordings performed by Simon Callaghan in a specially priced two-album set. Callaghan is joined by ClÃodna Shanahan for the first recording of the two-piano version of Concerto Leggiero, a mature work originally composed for piano and string orchestra. Almost classical in it's sense of economy, the two-piano arrangement boasts a remarkable lyricism. Born in Halifax in 1833, Dyson studied with Stanford and Parry before becoming one of the most prominent British composers and distinguished teachers of his generation. Best known for his choral work, his piano music spans his career. Heard in it's entirety, it provides valuable new insights into his development as a composer. Other first recordings include the seven-year-old Dyson's first work for piano, Untitled Piano Piece, the exam board commission for young pianists, Twelve Easy Pieces, and The Open Window and Six Lyrics, character pieces designed to help develop technique and musical imagination in young pianists. Among other works included are the Debussy-accented Primrose Mount, the dazzling set of fugues Bach's Birthday and so-called War Epigrams, inspired by Dyson's experiences on the Western Front before being invalided home. Dyson biographer Paul Spicer provides the authoritative booklet notes. Simon Callaghan's recent SOMM releases include British Violin Sonatas with Clare Howick, and a survey of Roger Sacheverell Coke's piano music, of which MusicWeb International said: "The commanding and virtuosic musicianship of Simon Callaghan allows this quirkily individual music to register with maximum effect - a fascinating and compelling album". Making her debut on SOMM, ClÃodna Shanahan has a busy performing and recording schedule for TV, radio, symphony and chamber concerts. A pianist and organist, she also records film soundtracks, most notably Howard Shore's The Hobbit.

Tracklist:

Concerto Leggiero (Version For 2 Pianos): I. Allegro
Concerto Leggiero (Version For 2 Pianos): II. Andante
Concerto Leggiero (Version For 2 Pianos): III. Vivace
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 1, Field And Wood
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 2, Swallows
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 3, Gentle Rain
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 4, Fair
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 5, Passers-By
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 6, The Patrol
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 7, The Green
8 Children's Pieces, Op. 12a "The Open Window": No. 8, Evensong
Primrose Mount
Bach's Birthday: No. 1, Comodo
Bach's Birthday: No. 2, Cantabile
Bach's Birthday: No. 3, Allegretto
Bach's Birthday: No. 4, Vivace Possibile
Untitled Piano Piece
6 Lyrics, Op. 12b: No. 1, March
6 Lyrics, Op. 12b: No. 2, Melody
6 Lyrics, Op. 12b: No. 3, Folk Dance
6 Lyrics, Op. 12b: No. 4, Waltz
6 Lyrics, Op. 12b: No. 5, Intermezzo
6 Lyrics, Op. 12b: No. 6, Mazurka
3 Little Pieces "My Birthday": No. 1, Delicately
3 Little Pieces "My Birthday": No. 2, Brightly
3 Little Pieces "My Birthday": No. 3, Quietly
12 Easy Pieces: No. 1, Mazurka
12 Easy Pieces: No. 2, Waltz
12 Easy Pieces: No. 3, Scotch Snap
12 Easy Pieces: No. 4, Dance
12 Easy Pieces: No. 5, Melody
12 Easy Pieces: No. 6, Lullaby
12 Easy Pieces: No. 7, Air
12 Easy Pieces: No. 8, Song
12 Easy Pieces: No. 9, Legato Study
12 Easy Pieces: No. 10, Scale Study
12 Easy Pieces: No. 11, Five Finger Study
12 Easy Pieces: No. 12, Study In Canon
Prelude & Ballet: I. Prelude
Prelude & Ballet: II. Ballet
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 1, A Capriccio
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 2, All'improviso
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 3, Sostenuto
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 4, Ritmico
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 5, Cantabile
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 6, Sonore
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 7, Di Ballo
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 8, Grazioso
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 9, Con Fuoco
10 Short Pieces, Op. 9 "Epigrams": No. 10, Alla Capella
3 Wartime Epigrams: No. 1, An Autograph
3 Wartime Epigrams: No. 2, Con Moto Tranquillo
3 Wartime Epigrams: No. 3, Sostenuto Ed Espressivo
4 Twilight Preludes, Op. 14: No. 1, Tranquillo
4 Twilight Preludes, Op. 14: No. 2, A Capriccio
4 Twilight Preludes, Op. 14: No. 3, Grazioso
4 Twilight Preludes, Op. 14: No. 4, Sostenuto

UPC: 748871062221
Label: Somm Recordings
Release Date: 10.16.20
Format: CD

Dyson / Callaghan / Shanahan - Open Window (2 CD)