Moeran and his English and Irish Contemporaries

E.J. MOERAN (1894-1950): Complete Solo Piano Music - Stalham River, Theme and Variations, 2 Folksong Arrangments, 2 Legends, 3 Pieces, On a May Morning, 3 Fancies, Toccata, Summer Valley, Bank Holiday, 2 Pieces, RONALD SWAFFIELD (1889-1962): Rapallo, Saling Along, Intermezzo alla Pastorale, HERBERT HOWELLS (1892-1983): Sonatina, The "Chosen" Tune, WILLIAM BAINES (1899-1922): 7 Preludes, THOMAS PITFIELD (1903-1999): Prelude, Minuet and Reel, ALOIS FLEISCHMANN (1910-1992): Suite, RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958): Hymn Tune Prelude on "Song 13" (Gibbons), The Lake in the Mountains.

Description: Although the complete Moeran piano music has been done on disc before, this set widens the horizon to include several composers of Moeran's generation and all of their works, like Moeran's date from 1919 to the late 1940s (except for Howells' very late sonatina from 1971 which, however, stylistically fits in well with the rest). The 11-minute suite (first recording) by the Irishman Fleischmann (1933) proclaims his fierce sense of country by having its tempo indications printed in Irish as well as Italian! Fleischmann is not totally unknown but this brief work makes us want to hear much more. Swaffield (born in Dorset - two first recordings), Pitfield (Lancashire) and Baines (Yorkshire) complete the geographical survey. 2 CDs. Duncan Honeybourne (piano).