Giles Swayne - Music for cello and piano Delphian - DCD34073 Best known for his choral CRY (1980), which surely deserves revival, Giles Swayne's music is heard in London less often than its solid craftsmanship deserves. A year ago I was excited also by his Convocation, and this new instrumental collection is greatly welcome. Giles Swayne's works for cello are attractive and what I would term 'polite European'; nothing to upset the "ordinary listnener" whoever (s)he is, although there is a trace of exoticism in Canto, inspired by the African kora. Swayne's notes about his Sonata state his position unequivocally: " 'it inhabits the world of Beethoven and Brahms - - in my own voice - - using an eight-note modal system to create distinctive harmony and a sense of 'rightness'." Fine playing, and recorded with excellent balance and tonal richness at the Glasgow Royal Academy of Music & Drama. Peter Grahame Woolf see also MP's revew of Convocation |