ソーヤーズ: 協奏曲集

ヴォーン=ウィリアムズとバルトークの孫弟子にあたるイギリスの作曲家であり、1973年から97年まで王立歌劇場管のヴァイオリニストとしても活躍したフィリップ・ソーヤーズ(1951-)。このアルバムでは協奏曲とイギリス交響楽団の首席奏者たちによる「八重奏曲」を収録しています。「二重協奏曲」では、フランソワ=グザヴィエ・ロトやハインツ・ホリガーなどと協奏曲で共演しているダニエル・ローランドや、カーネギーホールでのリサイタルや来日公演も果たしているマーヤ・ボグダノヴィチという注目のアーティストを迎えています。
東京エムプラス

Philip Sawyers remained mostly silent for much of his professional life, devoting his time to performing and teaching responsibilities. After he cut back on those, he returned with new music that developed in intriguing ways during his long layoff. The relatively conventional tonal language of Sawyers works is deceptive, for structurally, they are sui generis. Conductor Kenneth Woods has championed Sawyers, leading the English Symphony Orchestra and English String Orchestra on several recordings of his music, and the performances here show a good deal of care. One of the distinctive features of Sawyers music is his fine instrumental writing, and Woods showcases that here with a pair of concertos and an Octet. Sample the entrance of the viola in the first movement, appearing amidst tumult, in the concerto for that instrument. Perhaps the strongest item here is the Octet, a dense work that may leave the listener wondering whether there can really be just eight players. The logic, however, is never less than clear. It is a bit reminiscent of early Schoenberg, even if tonally somewhat more traditional. Since returning to the arena, Sawyers has become steadily more popular, and this release is only going to help that process along. ~ James Manheim