Grainger: Blithe Bells

“Grainger stylishly presented in Grainger’s own words with his own music. There’s no better place to start but even seasoned Grainger enthusiasts - those who already have the stunning Chandos Grainger Edition - will find much of value here.” MusicWeb International, March 2013

"Hickox is very, very good in this repertoire. Each tug at the heart-strings is brought off with taste and style." The Gramophone

'Wreathed in laurels for his marathon cycle of Liszt's complete piano works, the Australian born, London based pianist Leslie Howard has come up with a typically bright idea to showcase his digital dexterity' (The Observer)

“There is as much to savour musically as there is in Ms Thwaites’s sympathetic and thoughtful playing of her compatriot’s works” Gramophone Magazine

“Miss Thwaites seems to have Grainger in her blood. This collection is absolutely superb for her playing and sensitive voicing… I can not imagine a more beautiful piano sound. This is one CD all Delians and Graingerites should have, even if you have a dozen other Grainger piano CDs” The Delian

“Rundell's compelling realisation of the extraordinary Hill Song No 1 – regarded by Grainger as one of his finest achievements and performed here in its original guise for two piccolos, six oboes, six cors anglais, six bassoons and double bassoon – was actually made by BBC Manchester back in 1992; the remaining items date from 1997 and benefit from the splendid sound and balance achieved by Chandos.
Another of Grainger's most striking wind-band compositions opens the disc, namely the 12- minute The Power of Rome and the ChristianHeart.
Both the Children's March and Bell Piece feature some unexpected vocal contributions. In the latter – a charming 'ramble' on John Dowland's Now, O now I needs must part – Grainger incorporates a bell part specially written for his wife, Ella.
The delightfully piquant arrangements of BlitheBells and The Immovable Do date from March 1931 and November/December 1939 respectively.
These fine players equally revel in the 'scrunchy' harmonies of the eventful version of Irish Tunefrom County Derry (made in 1920 for military band and pipe-organ). That just leaves the boisterous Marching Song of Democracy, which Rundell again directs as to the manner born.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Martin Jones is a superb advocate for this rich kaleidoscope. His playing is delightfully exuberant and he is able to reach both the thunderous heights of power demanded by the Tchaikovsky concerto transcription and the delicacy of fingerwork required in folksongs such as 'Molly on the Shore'. He handles Grainger's complex counterpoints and voicing with superb clarity, achieving quasi-orchestral textures and colouring …” BBC Music Magazine