Classical Music Discoveries

Likewise with the Anglo-Scottish composer William Wordsworth (1908–88), great-great-grandnephew of the poet, with whom I occasionally exchanged letters and phone calls in the pre-e-mail late 1970s and early 1980s: I never could have predicted that his reputation might be restored by a series of Toccata Classics albums of his orchestral music, and I confess to an inordinate degree of pleasure in having helped right that injustice. Wordsworth’s piano music, too, was poorly known before now, none of it recorded since a handful of pieces appeared on LP 60 years ago – though his epic Piano Sonata is a work of major importance. The first-ever complete recording, on this release, reveals an honest, unfussy approach to the keyboard akin to that of two other major symphonists, Sibelius and Rubbra: like them, Wordsworth’s primary concern seems to have been the expression of deep feeling – which makes the gentle story-telling of his miniatures for children all the more surprising. The pianist is that stalwart defender of Scottish piano composers, Christopher Guild – who grew up just a few miles along the Moray Firth from Wordsworth’s Highland home overlooking Glen Feshie in the Cairngorms.

Tracks

Piano Sonata in D Minor, Op. 13 (1938-39) (27:04)

1. I. Maestoso (13:21)
2. II. Largamente e calmato – (6:13)
3. III. Allegro molto – Poco adagio – Tempo I (7:30)

Three Pieces for Piano* (10:35)

1. Prelude (1932) (4:40)
2. Scherzo (undated) (2:04)
3. Rhapsody (spring 1934) (3:51)

Cheesecombe Suite, Op. 27 (1945) (13:18)

1. I. Prelude (4:35)
2. II. Scherzo (1:34)
3. III. Nocturne (4:58)
4. IV. Fughetta (2:11)
5. Ballade, Op. 41 (1949) (7:55)
6. A Tale from Long Ago (publ. 1952)* (1:48)
7. March of the Giants (publ. 1952)* (1:16)
8. Ding Dong Bell (publ. 1952)* (1:19)
9. Snowflakes (publ. 1952)* (1:38)
10. Fireside Story (publ. 1952)* (2:28)
11. Bedtime (Six O’Clock) (publ. 1952)* (1:13)
12. Bedtime Story (publ. 1952)* (1:25)
13. Hornpipe (publ. 1952)* (1:03)
14. Valediction, Op. 82 (1967)* (10:00)

• - First Recordings

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This album is broadcast with the permission of Sean Dacy from Rosebrook Media.