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CD- HOSANNA - Steven Mead (Euphonium) & Lidia Ksiazkiewicz (Organ) |
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In stockHere is the CD release from Steve, accompanied by the talented Polish organist, now living in France, Lidia Ksiazkiewicz. It was recorded in Laon Cathedral and the Church of St Pierre, Guignicourt, France at the end of August 2013.
The first 100 CDs ordered will be autographed by Steve
Take two of the most impressive and sonorous instruments from the world of music, played by two of the leading exponents, and put them together. This sublime new album has a cross section of beautiful music that will thrill audiences the word over.
Sonata in Bb Major – Alessandro Besozzi **
1. Andante 2:07
2. Allegro 2:03
3. Larghetto 2:10
4. Allegretto 1:38
5. Duet for Trombone and Organ – Gustav Holst 9.08
6. Ave Maria – Franz Schubert 4.22
7. Chants Russes – Eduoard Lalo 5.09
8. Lacrimae Lacrimae – Jan Sandström 4.33
9. Romance Op. 36 – Camille Saint-Saëns 3.44
10. Concerto for Oboe in D Minor, Op.9 no.2 3.40
1st Movement – Tomaso Albinoni **
11. Sicilienne – Maria Theresia Paradis 3.11
12. Invocation Op.135 – Gardner Read 7.23
13. Poem – Zdenek Fibich 2.39
Sonata in A Major – Francesco Geminiani **
14. Andante 2.16
15. Allegro 1.52
16. Andante 1.00
17. Allegro 2.03
18. Pie Jesu – Andrew Lloyd Webber + 3.10
19. Hosanna – Franz Liszt 4.48
20. Ave Maria – Guilio Caccini + 4.15
TOTAL: 74.37minutes
+ duet with Misa Akahoshi
Recorded in France in Laon Cathedral, and the Church of St.Pierre, Guignicourt **
The story behind Hosanna
A chance meeting with the wonderful Polish organist Lidia Książkiewicz in France some nine months ago awakened my curiosity of how it would be to record an album with euphonium and organ. I have made many recordings over the years, variously with brass band, piano, brass quintet, brass ensembles and multitrack for example, and with each of these the outcomes were all quite predictable, and in many cases the repertoire quite bountiful.
In my head I could imagine the rich sound of the euphonium set against the resonant sound of a cathedral organ, two mighty voices playing in harmony!
I set about looking for suitable repertoire and spent a few weeks searching music libraries and online resources. It immediately became clear that there was almost no original literature for this combination and not put off by this, I sought out a balance of other works for brass and organ, classical arrangements and songs that might create not only a musical balance, but would allow a chance to show off the potential of this combination. During a very brief visit to the Strasbourg Conservatory where Lidia is also a professional piano accompanist, we took the occasion to try out some of the repertoire. We recognised instantly that this combination had so much potential. The CD project therefore became inevitable.
The logistics were quite quickly worked out and Lidia made enquiries whether we could use Laon Cathedral for the recording. Lidia is the resident organist there knew the full potential of this great organ. As we discussed the repertoire we also were discussing some Baroque works and perhaps using a second organ that was more suitable for this music. About 25 km from Laon is the town of Guignicourt and the organ there was absolutely suitable for a couple of pieces from all that. All the other pieces of jigsaw felt together relatively easily in place.
We hope you enjoy Hosanna as much as we did recording it!
If you'd prefer to digitally download this album, click here
