Sirenko Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra Bielow - Violin Concertos 1 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Myroslav Skoryk is one of Ukraine's leading composers and teachers, with a portfolio of works that include opera, a symphonic transcription of Paganini's Caprices, and a cycle of nine violin concertos written over a 45-year span. Concerto No. 5 utilizes jazz elements and a vivid fugato, while Concerto No. 6 explores the use of sensual moods and provocative dance rhythms. Syncopation and lyricism infuse Concerto No. 7, while No. 9 is both touching and dramatic. Concerto No. 8 offers a representation of events in Chopin's life through quotations, in combination with Skoryk's own distinctive musical voice.

Most of the works by the two Catalan composers heard here - Joan Manén (1883-1971) and Marc Migo (b. 1993) - use material from their folk tradition, making the music fresh, immediate and direct, rather in the manner of Manuel de Falla. But there is also a loose connection with Vienna Manén's Violin 'Concertino' - an unusually modest tag for a full-scale concerto - is something of a cousin to the Korngold Concerto; and Migó's poignant Epitafi a Hans Rott was written in memory of a short-lived Austrian composer who was a close friend of Mahler.

In celebration of Gwyn Pritchard's 75th birthday, Métier releases Features and Formations a fascinating insight into Pritchard's process. This is contemporary, seemingly mercurial, work is rich in structure. Using pre-compositional planning and techniques including the use of a sequence-generating algorithm, the composer reacts to rhythm and pitch, manifesting great atmosphere and emotion. Features and Formations a fascinating insight into Pritchard's process. This is contemporary, seemingly mercurial, work is rich in structure. Using pre-compositional planning and techniques including the use of a sequence-generating algorithm, the composer reacts to rhythm and pitch, manifesting great atmosphere and emotion. Features and Formations includes five of Gwyn Pritchard's ensemble works (a quintet, two quartets and a trio) and three for solo piano, all performed by the distinguished Swiss contemporary music group Ensemble ö! conducted by Francesc Prat and their pianist Asia Ahmetjanova. Gwyn Pritchard (b.1948) studied cello and composition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. His compositions include works for orchestra, ensembles, solo instruments, vocal works and pieces employing electronics. Much of his compositional activity has been based outside the UK, in particular in Germany, Poland, Switzerland and Italy. Other performances have been given in America, Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, S Korea and New Zealand. They have been performed and broadcast on many radio and television networks, often by major orchestras, ensembles and soloists, and at international festivals. In 1982 Pritchard founded Uroboros Ensemble which includes some of Britain's leading instrumentalists. He is Professor of Composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London, and has given lectures and masterclasses in Europe, America and Asia.