Marking Oriel College's 700th anniversary, this unique collection explores the diverse musical traditions connected with Oriel College. Drawing on sources from medieval Marian devotion to the Oxford Movement, and from the work of distinguished fellows to contemporary commissions for the chapel choir, it explores the influence and inspiration of the college's scholars, poets, and musicians over seven centuries, charting an evolving relationship between the college and it's cultural life.

Classical Music

Classical Music

OGDEN, Craig: Tango Nuevo

Three songs were drawn in 1932 from a 1923 group of five settings of poems by Edith Sitwell from Fa�ade, under the projected title Bucolic Comedies, Edith Sitwell's title for a set of poems. The three songs are dedicated to Walton's publisher, Hubert Foss, and to the latter's wife Dora, who gave the first performance. Daphne and Through gilded trellises lack that wilder element of fantasy that marks the poems eventually included in Fa�ade itself. The first of the set, Daphne is a lyrical reflection on the myth of Daphne, and her metamorphosis into a laurel. Through gilded trellises has the necessary Spanish flavor, skillfully handled, and Old Sir Faulk, which finally retained a place in Fa�ade in spoken form, is a true Foxtrot. The six settings of poems from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for tenor and guitar, Anon in Love, were commissioned by Peter Pears and Julian Bream and first performed at the Aldeburgh Festival in 1960. Walton later arranged them for tenor and small orchestra. The poems, chosen for the composer by Christopher Hassall, are set in a style well suited to Pears and echo in some ways the writing of Britten, a reflection of Walton's underlying respect for the achievement of his younger contemporary. The cycle starts with Fain would I change that note, marked Lento amiable and offering a characteristic melodic line, exploiting the instrumental quality of Pears's voice and technique. O stay, sweet love, marked Allegretto, offers a lively contrast of mood, followed by the beauty of Lady, when I behold the roses, marked Lento sostenuto, with it's subtle cross-rhythms. The Allegro leggiero fourth song, My love in her attire, is light-hearted in text and mood, matched with the more robust I gave her cakes and I gave her ale, an Andantino. The group ends with the insistent jocular Allegro giocoso of To couple is custom. Fa�ade, poems by Edith Sitwell, recited with a musical accompaniment, was first heard in a private concert in the drawing-room of the Sitwells' London house in January 1922 and created something of a sensation at it's public airing at the Aeolian Hall the following year. The work grew and changed, as items were removed and added, reaching a final revision in the 1940s, for eventual publication in 1951. Christopher Palmer transcribed three of the items for singer and piano, the original declamation replaced by a vocal line derived from the instrumental score. Long steel grass (Noche espagnola), which for a time became Trio for Two Cats and a Trombone, is followed by the Tango-Pasodoble, with it's transformation of I do like to be beside the seaside. The well known Popular Song ends the group.

Introducing "Environments," from acclaimed composer Greg Caffrey, a poignant journey through landscapes both physical and emotional. Recorded in the heart of Belfast at the historic Townsend Street Church, this album captures the essence of a city marked by its tumultuous history and resilient spirit. Caffrey's compositions, brought to life by the renowned Ulster Orchestra, reflect his own personal journey from the streets of West Belfast to international acclaim.

The album opens with "Environments I & II," two pieces born from Caffrey's residencies in Paris, showcasing his mastery of orchestral composition. From the grandeur of a full symphony orchestra to the intimacy of chamber music, these works explore a range of rich sonic landscapes. Each note is imbued with the composer's profound connection to his surroundings, offering a window into his creative process.

"A Terrible Beauty," the centerpiece of the album, unfolds over three movements inspired by the poetry of WB Yeats. Caffrey's response to the poetry is both evocative and introspective, weaving together themes of beauty, pain, and resilience. With each movement, the music transports listeners on a visceral journey through the depths of human experience, culminating in a profound exploration of the human spirit.

Closing the album is "Aingeal," a deeply personal work written in tribute to a loved one. Set against a backdrop of strings and percussion, the music captures the raw emotions of grief and loss, offering solace and catharsis in its haunting melodies. Through "Environments," Greg Caffrey invites listeners to reflect on their own environments, both internal and external, and discover the beauty in life's most poignant moments.

Conducted by Sinead Hayes with soloists Craig Ogden (guitar) and Daniel Browell (piano).

Note:
"Environments II" is a prizewinning work in the International Conductors Union Composition Contest, Ukraine 2021.

"A Terrible Beauty" is a recommended work in the 4th Uuno Klami Composition Prize.

Lisa Friend leads this collection of original works and transcriptions for flute and guitars, joined by Craig Ogden and the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet. The wide-ranging programme includes Fauré’s Pavane and Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise. Lisa Friend (Flautist) has appeared as a soloist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Prague Philharmonic, Virtuosi Pragenses Chamber Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic and has toured throughout much of Europe, Asia and the USA. Lisa has recorded as a solo/chamber artist for Silva Screen, Universal, Chandos, Champs Hill and Signum Records. Her previous album 'Essence' has been aired on Classic FM, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio London, WQXR Classical Radio, New York and WFMT Radio, Chicago.

Described by BBC Music Magazine as 'A worthy successor to Julian Bream', the Australian-born guitarist Craig Ogden is one of the most exciting artists of his generation. He studied guitar from the age of seven and in 2004 became the youngest instrumentalist to receive a Fellowship Award from the Royal Northern College of Music. He has performed concertos with many of the world's leading orchestras and numerous composers have written works specially for him. Despite a diverse and extensive discography, Craig Ogden had never made an album based on his regular recital repertoire. This latest album consists of pieces he regularly plays in concert and includes a wide variety of music, spanning three centuries. Offering both transcriptions and original works, it is all music that he loves to play, and a programme that reflects the wonderful diversity within the repertoire of the modern classical guitar.

Signum presents 3 concertos from eminent British composer Christopher Gunning, all composed for performance by colleagues and friends – Catherine Handley, Michael Whight and Craig Ogden. Christopher Gunning has composed twelve symphonies, as well as concertos for the piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and guitar; many of these have now been recorded. He has also composed many scores for films and television dramas, including Agatha Christie’s Poirot, La Vie en Rose, Middlemarch, Cold Lazarus, Rebecca, Under Suspicion, Firelight, The Big Battalions, Wild Africa, When the Whales Came and Porterhouse Blue. With a career spanning 50 years, he has won 4 BAFTA and 3 Ivor Novello Awards, and BASCA’s prestigious Gold Badge Award. Christopher studied composition with Edmund Rubbra and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After a hugely successful career writing for the big and small screen he is now focused on his classical work and releases.