Description
This second disc of the Chamber Music of Richard Pantcheff features works which were either written in the period the composer was living in South Africa, or have connections with that period in some other way.
Given that at the time the composer went to live in South Africa his reputation had been built largely upon his by then substantial number of choral and organ works, the South African period was one where, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, instrumental and chamber music came into much greater focus. This was as a result of many of South Africa's leading musicians commissioning new works from him, and there being ample opportunity at Chamber Music series and Music Festivals for these new works to be performed. Of particular note in this regard were the Rand Club Chamber Music Series, and Music at Northwards, both highly successful concert series in Johannesburg.
Victoria String Quartet
Benedict Holland Violin, David Greed Violin
Luke Mitchell Viola, Jennifer Langridge Cello
Tom McKinney Narrator
Simon Passmore Piano
Richard Pantcheff
There are currently twenty-one commercially released CDs and EPs in the catalogue featuring his music, many containing only his work, receiving excellent reviews. Upon its release on the Orchid Classics label in October 2021, his most recent CD with the London Choral Sinfonia (The Music of Richard Pantcheff, Volume 2) went straight to number five in the Gramophone Magazine's Classical Charts and received a 5-star rating from Choir and Organ magazine. Several new CDs are in preparation.
His compositions have received wide acclaim from performers, critics, and audiences for their originality and technical brilliance, combined with intellectual and emotional depth.
Edited and mastered by Phil Hardman & Simon Crosby Buttle
