Fenella Humphreys, BBC Philharmonic, Michael Seal - Adrian Sutton: Orchestral Works (2024)

Tracklist

01. Violin Concerto: I. Thermals
02. Violin Concerto: II. Far Cliffs
03. Violin Concerto: III. Life Force
04. Short Story
05. A Fist Full of Fives
06. War Horse Orchestral Suite: I. Devon at Peace
07. War Horse Orchestral Suite: II. First Gallop
08. War Horse Orchestral Suite: III. Crossing the Channel
09. War Horse Orchestral Suite: IV. Emilie's Theme
10. War Horse Orchestral Suite: V. The Charge
11. War Horse Orchestral Suite: VI. Joey and Albert Reunited
12. 5 Theatre Miniatures: No. 1, The Departure
13. 5 Theatre Miniatures: No. 2, Intermezzo
14. 5 Theatre Miniatures: No. 3, Gigue
15. 5 Theatre Miniatures: No. 4, Polperro Beach
16. 5 Theatre Miniatures: No. 5, Contagion

Following a devastating cancer diagnosis in September 2022, Adrian Sutton, composer of the music for War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and other National Theatre productions, made a conscious decision to change his focus, committing himself to working solely on music for the concert hall. This has led to a series of major new works, including his Violin Concerto which received its world première at the Southbank Centre in June 2023, played by Fenella Humphreys and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Adrian commented: ‘We all have limited time – and resources. How to make best use of them? In my situation, there’s only one answer: avoid egregious waste of both time and energy ruminating on things I can’t change. Instead, I can choose how I react to the facts – and I’m choosing not to be a victim.’ This new album of world-première record ings reflects the composer’s new focus. Of the album, Adrian Sutton says: ‘Here's the real musical me. My core musical DNA. The Violin Concerto in particular (being a violinist myself) is for me the main course on this disc, but the other works are a showcase for what I’ve always been about... ranging from the bracing and instrumentally challenging A Fist Full of Fives through to orchestral suites derived from my theatre works. I’m very proud of them all, and pleased to have had the opportunity to share them.’

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