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Giles Swayne - Music for cello and piano

Four Lyrical Pieces, Op. 6 (1970)
Suite No. 1 for solo cello, Op. 111 (2007)
Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 103 (2006)
Canto for cello, Op. 31 (1981)


Robert Irvine (cello) & Fali Pavri (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