Gerard McChrystal & Christian Wilson
Release Date: 19 June 2020
Label: First Hand Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5060216341293
Genres: Classical Chamber Music
Description
This is Gerard McChrystal's second album for First hand Records which features new arrangements of popular repertoire.
McChrystal's previous FHR album 'Aria' [FHR14] received incredible critical acclaim:
'The magnificently sustained tone of the soloist, Gerard McChrystal was a treat' (The Independent ****)
'This is a superb programme… the sheer brilliance of the playing will keep one enthralled… Highly recommended' (Fanfare Magazine)
Solas is the Gaelic word for light and features beautiful sounds from the soprano and alto saxophones and also the incredible energy of the sopranino saxophone, rarely recorded. Most of the pieces are brand new arrangements of popular repertoire and gives a unique journey from the Baroque to the present day.
Gerard McChrystal was born in Derry, Northen Ireland. He has performed in over 35 countries including China, USA, New Zealand, Korea, South Africa and Azerbaijan. Collaborations include composer Philip Glass, the Soweto String Quartet, Rambert Dance Company, London Musici, the Smith Quartet and classical guitarist Craig Ogden.
McChrystal has made 15 albums with orchestras including BBC NOW, Ulster Orchestra and London Musici.
Christian Wilson has forged a unique path as an organist, combining trailblazing virtuosity with serious scholarship and championing rarely-heard or forgotten masterpieces.In addition to his role as Organist at HM Chapels Royal in the Tower of London, Christian is Director of Music at Brasenose College, Oxford, and a lecturer at the university, appearing regularly on BBC radio and occasionally on television as performer or musicologist.
CRITOICAL ACCLAIM
"Who'd have thought the combination of sax and organ could be quite so enchanting. McChrystal makes the sopranino sax sing with sweet beauty in a wide-ranging programme. Quite lovely" **** BBC Music Magazine
"[Gerard McChrystal] makes his sopranino sax 'sing with plaintive passion' in Handel, and the alto sax is 'mournful and full of soul' in Alain & Purcell, with great support on the organ from Christian Wilson. This is a great selection, and in particular, as a showcase for the higher members of the sax family, this is to be highly recommended." - Classical Notes
Tracklisting
Noxwode, Conor Gricmanis
Tessa Lark, Jon Batiste, Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Edgar Meyer
David de Winter and The Brook Street Band
Alexander Baillie & Nigel Yandell
Orquestra Sinfonica Portuguesa; Alvaro Cassuto
The Flautadors Recorder Quartet
The Telling
Sarah Cahill
Karolos
The Counterpoints
Narratio Quartet
Danbi Um; Juho Pohjonen
Engegard Quartet, NyNorsk Messingkvintett
Flute Alors
Louise Bessette
Jonas Batstrand, Jorn Fossheim
