Piano Music 2

This disc, very well recorded in 2006, forms part of the series of recordings of Bowen's solo piano music made by Joop Celis. This particular disc, like the others in the series features one sonata as the main work plus a number of additional items which together form an enjoyable, instructive and satisfying solo recital. The concept is in direct contrast to the fine double disc set of the complete sonatas by Danny Driver which does not include any of the other works.York Bowen's piano music is far more than just the sonatas and is far more varied than they may therefore suggest. To only know his piano music through his sonatas is rather like only knowing Chopin's music only through his three sonatas. This would give a false impression of Chopin and the same reasoning applies to the music of Bowen.Both Celis and Driver give equally fine performances of the sonatas generally and of this sonata in particular. Bowen's 5th sonata is reckoned by some to be his finest but all of them are worth getting to know. So is the rest of this well-balanced program which covers a wide range of moods from the calm to the energetic. Bowen himself was a master pianist and wrote well for his instrument and was very popular until fashions dictated that he was too old fashioned for changing tastes. In hindsight, this is of no consequence any more than it might be when considering other composers who have once more become appreciated such as Arnold or Alwyn.I would suggest therefore that the most musically rewarding way of collecting Bowen's music would be to collect the fuller coverage being provided by Celis as on this disc. For those just interested in the more limited coverage of sonatas only, then Danny Driver will be fine and considerably cheaper as it involves fewer discs. "You gets what you pays for!" to quote an old phrase of saying.

This disc, very well recorded in 2006, forms part of the series of recordings of Bowen's solo piano music made by Joop Celis. This particular disc, like the others in the series features one sonata as the main work plus a number of additional items which together form an enjoyable, instructive and satisfying solo recital. The concept is in direct contrast to the fine double disc set of the complete sonatas by Danny Driver which does not include any of the other works.York Bowen's piano music is far more than just the sonatas and is far more varied than they may therefore suggest. To only know his piano music through his sonatas is rather like only knowing Chopin's music only through his three sonatas. This would give a false impression of Chopin and the same reasoning applies to the music of Bowen.Both Celis and Driver give equally fine performances of the sonatas generally and of this sonata in particular. Bowen's 5th sonata is reckoned by some to be his finest but all of them are worth getting to know. So is the rest of this well-balanced program which covers a wide range of moods from the calm to the energetic. Bowen himself was a master pianist and wrote well for his instrument and was very popular until fashions dictated that he was too old fashioned for changing tastes. In hindsight, this is of no consequence any more than it might be when considering other composers who have once more become appreciated such as Arnold or Alwyn.I would suggest therefore that the most musically rewarding way of collecting Bowen's music would be to collect the fuller coverage being provided by Celis as on this disc. For those just interested in the more limited coverage of sonatas only, then Danny Driver will be fine and considerably cheaper as it involves fewer discs. "You gets what you pays for!" to quote an old phrase of saying.

Bowen (1884 -1961)reçut le sobriquet de Rachmanino anglais ,et en effet ce compositeur au dynamisme infatigable et à la production abondante ne dépare pas ,outre RACHMANINOV , les derniers compositeurs -interprètes du 20 ème siècle comme Scriabin et Medtner .Il y a dans ses oeuvres des réminiscences de Chopin ,Mendelssohn et aussi Debussy ,mais Bowen n'est un épygone de personne tellement son sens du piano et de ses ressources sont éclatantes .Le label Chandos peut ètre félicité pour publier des volumes destinées à faire connaitre davantage ce compositeur dont l'audience reste confidentielle en France !Le morceau de bravoure de ce 2 ème volume est la Sonate no 5 ,mais toutes les autres pièces sont agréables et procurent du plaisir car cette musique est une musique heureuse ,remarquablement servie par le pianiste Joop Cellis ,jugez en par vous mème !!