Dividing his time between the United States and the United Kingdom, the composer Geoffrey Gordon writes music that has been described as 'darkly seductive' (New York Times), 'richly satisfying' (BBC Music Magazine) and 'iridescent and fierce' (The Chicago Tribune). The present album brings together three of his recent works, all composed between 2013 and 2018 for the soloist recording them here, the Danish cellist Toke Moldrup. In several of his works, Gordon takes his inspiration from other art forms - sculptures by Giacometti, a self portrait by Warhol, a children's picture book by Maurice Sendak. The works gathered here are inspired by or reactions to three literary masterworks. The 'creative blueprint' for the opening work, the Cello Concerto, is the novel Doktor Faustus by Thomas Mann. Organized into a Prologue and Seven Episodes, the work traces the progress of Mann's protagonist Adrian LeverkÃ¼hn from innocence to madness, with the cello both embodying and (occasionally) commenting on the proceedings. For this recording, Moldrup receives the support of the Copenhagen Phil and conductor Lan Shui. In the score of Fathoms, Gordon's sonata for cello and piano, each of the five movements is headed with a quotation from Shakespeare's The Tempest which sets the scene for the musical impression that follows. Here Moldrup is joined by the American pianist Steven Beck. The amply-filled album closes with Ode to a Nightingale, with the words of John Keat's immortal poem heard from the Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, and given emphasis by Toke Moldrup's obbligato cello.

Tracklist:

Cello Concerto: Prologue
Cello Concerto: I. -
Cello Concerto: II. -
Cello Concerto: III. -
Cello Concerto: Cadenza I
Cello Concerto: IV. -
Cello Concerto: Cadenza II
Cello Concerto: V. -
Cello Concerto: Epilogue
5 Impressions Of "The Tempest" (Fathoms): Prelude & Storm
5 Impressions Of "The Tempest" (Fathoms): No. 1, Ferdinand And Miranda
5 Impressions Of "The Tempest" (Fathoms): No. 2, Ariel And All His Quality
5 Impressions Of "The Tempest" (Fathoms): No. 3, Caliban (And Sycorax)
5 Impressions Of "The Tempest" (Fathoms): No. 4, The Isle Is Full Of Noises
5 Impressions Of "The Tempest" (Fathoms): No. 5, Prospero Drowns His Book
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 1, My Heart Aches
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 2, O For A Draught Of Vintage!
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 3, Fade Far Away, Dissolve
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 4, Away! Away! For I Will Fly To Thee
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 5, I Cannot See
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 6, Darkling I Listen
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 7, Thou Wast Not Born For Death
Ode To A Nightingale: No. 8, Forlorn

UPC: 7318590023303
Label: Bis
Release Date: 4.3.20
Format: CD

Gordon / Moldrup / Dahl - Cello Libris (CD)