New Welsh Music Releases

William Mathias Choral Music

Label: Hyperion
Artists: Wells Cathedral Choir, Jonathan Vaughn organ, Matthew Owens conductor
Catalogue No.: CDA67740
Release Date: May 2009
Total Duration: 75`32

William Mathias’s ebullient, joyful choral writing, drawing on a variety of musical traditions, is immediately accessible and likeable whilst demonstrating an architectural sophistication that brings it into the top rank of twentieth-century liturgical music. He had a particular flair for brilliance, drama and display, which made his music highly suited to ceremonial and festive occasions; present too in his music is a sense of Celtic mysticism and deep spirituality which enhances such works as ‘All wisdom is from the Lord’ and ‘O nata lux’.  For more information visit http://www.wmic.org/cgi-bin/fullnews.cgi?id=522 or www.hyperion-records.co.uk.

John Hardy's Blue Letters from Tanganyika

Label: Ffin Records
Total playing time: 17.49
Format: 256 MP3
25p from each album sale is donated to charities working in Tanzania.

Blue Letters from Tanganyika is full of exuberant African colours and textures, rich with imagery and imagination. This beautiful recording by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Grant Llewellyn captures an exotic world of sweltering wild terrain, dangerous journeys through lion country and the calm of twilight over the great lake.  Visit www.JohnHardyMusic.com to hear more.

Facades, Contemporary Works for saxophone

Label: Signum Classics

Including the world premiere recording of Christopher Painter’s “Sonata for Alto Saxophone”.  Available for purchase and download from www.amazon.co.uk