Grainger: The Complete Piano Music / Martin Jones

$28.99
Label
Nimbus
Release Date
October 1, 1996
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      GRAINGER, PERCY
    • PERFORMER
      Martin Jones
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 01, 1996
    • UPC
      710357176722
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      NI1767
    • LABEL
      Nimbus
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      5
    • GENRE
      Wind Ensemble/Band Music
    Works ⌄

    1. Handel in the Strand

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    2. Bridal Lullaby Ramble

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    3. Youthful Suite: V. English Waltz

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    4. Mock Morris

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    5. To a Nordic Princess, "Bridal Song"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    6. I. Arrival Platform Humlet

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    7. II. Gay but Wistful

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    8. III. Pastoral

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    9. IV. The Gum-Suckers March

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    10. Peace

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    11. Saxon Twi-Play

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    12. Andante con moto

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    13. Children's March, "Over the Hills and Far Away"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    14. The Immovable Do, "The Ciphering C" (version for piano)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    15. Sailor's Song

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    16. Colonial Song

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    17. Walking Tune

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    18. Harvest Hymn, "Harvest Time in Sweden"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    19. In Dahomey, "Cakewalk Smasher"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    20. Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    21. Brahms - 5 Lieder, Op. 49: No. 4. Wiegenlied

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    22. Gershwin - The Goldwyn Follies: Love walked in

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    23. Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: III. Allegro scherzando

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    24. Dowland: Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    25. Elgar - Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, "Enigma"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    26. R. Strauss: Ramble on Love

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    27. Beautiful Fresh Flower

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    28. Paraphrase on the Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    29. Tribute to Foster: Lullaby

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    30. The Rag-Time Girl

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    31. Blithe Bells (arr. of J. S. Bach's Sheep may safely graze from BWV 208 for piano)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    32. Bach - Fugue in A Minor

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    33. Gershwin - Strike up the Band: The Man I Love

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    34. Country Gardens

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    35. The Merry King

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    36. Molly on the Shore

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    37. Irish Tune from County Derry

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    38. Knight and Shepherd's Daughter

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    39. The Nightingale and The Two Sisters

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    40. Jutish Medley

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    41. The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    42. The Rival Brothers

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    43. Near Woodstock Town (piano version)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    44. Will ye gang to the Hielands, Lizzie Lindsay

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    45. The Brisk Young Sailor

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    46. One More Day, My John

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    47. Rimmer (Rammer) and Goldcastle

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    48. Spoon River

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    49. The Widow's Party

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    50. The Hunter in his Career

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    51. My Robin is to the Greenwood Gone, "A Ramble"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    52. Died for Love

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    53. Scotch Strathspey and Reel (version for piano)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    54. One More Day, My John (complex version)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    55. In Bristol Town

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    56. Hard-Hearted Barb'ra (H)ellen

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    57. Songs of the North: Mo Nighean Dubh (My Dark-Haired Maid)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    58. Lisbon, "Dublin Bay"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    59. Stalt Vesselil (Proud Vesselil)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    60. Songs of the North: O Gin, I were where Gowrie Runs

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    61. Shepherd's Hey

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    62. No. 1. A March-Jig, "Maguire's Kick"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    63. No. 2. A Slow Dance

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    64. No. 3. The Leprechaun's Dance

      Composer: Percy Grainger

    65. No. 4. A Reel

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    66. Fauré - Nell, Op. 18, No. 1

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    67. Fauré - Après un rêve, Op. 7, No. 1

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    68. Schumann - Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54: I. Allegro affettuoso

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    69. Tiger-Tiger!

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    70. Delius - Air and Dance

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    71. Handel - Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: IX. Hornpipe

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    72. Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 538, "Dorian"

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    73. Tribute to Foster: Lullaby (Easy Grainger)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    74. Chosen Gems for Winds: Anonymous - Angelus ad Virginem

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    75. Klavierstuck in E Major

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    76. Eastern Intermezzo

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    77. The Bigelow March

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    78. Grieg - Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: I. Allegro molto moderato

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    79. At Twilight (version for piano)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    80. Klavierstuck in A Minor

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    81. Klavierstuck in B flat

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    82. Klavierstuck in D Major

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    83. Children's March, "Over the Hills and Far Away" (version for 2 pianos)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Richard McMahon

    84. Australian Up-Country Song

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    85. English Dance

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Philip Martin, Richard McMahon

    86. Ye Banks and Braes o'Bonnie Doon (version for piano 6 hands)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Philip Martin, Richard McMahon

    87. Spoon River (version for 2 pianos)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Richard McMahon

    88. Train Music (version for piano)

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    89. Zanzibar Boat Song

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Richard McMahon

    90. Brahms - 28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35: Variation 12

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    91. Green Bushes

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Philip Martin, Richard McMahon

    92. Byrd - The Carman's Whistle

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones

    93. Delius - A Dance Rhapsody

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Richard McMahon

    94. Gershwin - Girl Crazy: Embraceable you

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Richard McMahon

    95. The Warriors

      Composer: Percy Grainger

      Performer: Martin Jones, Philip Martin, Richard McMahon


An essential box set of Graingeresque delight.

2011 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Percy Grainger’s death and the event has witnessed the reissue of a number of important recordings. This isn’t one such, because it’s remained in the Nimbus catalogue throughout, but I did want to draw brief attention to this super-abundant, characterful, and wholly marvellous five CD set of the complete piano music, played by the indefatigable, stylistically apt Martin Jones. He’s one of the undersung masters of a variety of repertoire – as good in Iberian music as he is in British, I’d suggest.
 
Here his encyclopaedic survey acts as a modern day cornerstone. You should hear his recordings, if you are excited by Grainger, and compare and contrast them with the composer’s own recordings which fortunately – all the 78s at any rate – have recently been reissued in a five CD set by APR [7501]. The experience is both exciting and diverting. But Grainger only recorded (and re-recorded) a fraction of his own pieces, whereas Jones has collared the lot. And how!
 
The first disc starts with some classic Grainger; the brio, clarity and speed of Jones’s take on Handel in the Strand is a tonic whilst To a Nordic Princess rises to a passionate pitch of assertion. In a Nutshell is a suite the charms of which seldom pall, and in this performance Jones crafts an unusually expressive Pastoral, slow and spare then incrementally building up in sonority, power and speed. The playful and vibrant badinage of The Immovable Do is especially well realised – one of the very best moments in this opening disc - though the reflective and beautiful Colonial Song runs it, very differently, close. Those who have never come across the roistering cakewalk of In Dahomey are in for a treat.
 
The second disc is given over to arrangements. To a degree it’s of less pressing interest to the Grainger novice, but it’s essential ground for those who want to understand his enthusiasms and the musical means by which he conveyed them. The opening of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto makes some fearsome demands on the intrepid solo pianist whereas the Brahms Cradle song that cannily follows it is delightfully spun – lissom legato, not lion-hearted virtuosity. His arrangement of Nimrod is probably quite well known but that of Rachmaninoff – the finale of the Second Concerto – probably less so. I must admit that the Dowland transcription, of Now, O now, I needs must part, is absolutely irresistible in Jones’s performance. He really does have the touch for refinement in these works. Of the other works, it’s interesting to contrast Grainger’s own 1929 78 of the Rosenkavalier with Jones’s. Then there’s the convoluted tribute to Stephen Foster, the well-known Bach Blithe Bells and the same composer’s Fugue in A minor – it reminds one of Bach’s importance to Grainger, as performer and composer.
 
The third disc offers 28 examples of Graingeresque delight. Some are very concise folk-songs and traditional songs, others better known examples of his art. Let me just suggest a few which I think especially illuminating or unusual. If you’ve not come across The Merry King, try to do so, and you won’t regret it; it’s hauntingly beautiful. A Jutish Melody was recorded by Grainger in one of his very rarest 78s – a double-sided 1929 Columbia. He takes it a touch faster than Jones. Spoon River is played with vibrancy but Jones is ever alert as to treble colouration. There are also the simple and complex versions of One more day my John.
 
The fourth disc is a curious collection but that only makes it the more valuable for completists. We have Stanford’s Four Irish Dances, the deeply sensitive Fauré songs – what a shame Grainger didn’t record them – and the opening movement transcription of the Schumann Piano Concerto, which, like the Rachmaninoff, is probably best known by close readers of Grainger’s work in this field – a virtuosic single-voiced domestication, as it were, of the concerto literature. Another such is the better remembered Grieg Concerto first movement, also in this disc. His homage to Delius comes via the Air and Dance – but there are plenty of things to occupy the eager ears in this disc. Uppermost amongst them we find Angelus ad Virginem, a lovely carol, and then some of Grainger’s early works. These include the Schumannesque Klavierstücke in E, and the other early pieces which are variously awkward and Brahmsian or, in the case of the one in B flat, incomplete. There’s also the one in D, which Grainger dedicated to his father. The Bigelow March, an insouciant piece, was actually written by Ella Grainger, Percy’s wife.
 
The final disc has bigger works, ending with The Warriors. It also includes those pieces written for four hands on one piano, four on two pianos, six on one piano and six on two pianos. Children's March: "Over the Hills and Far Away" is a sonorous and ebullient example of Martin Jones and Richard McMahon playing on two pianos. But all these pieces are richly exciting and attractive. In the midst of all this don’t overlook the calm solo Grainger fashioned from William Byrd – The Carman’s Whistle or indeed Gershwin’s Embraceable You. The resilience of the performers and the clarity of the six-handed, two-piano, arrangement of The Warriors elevates it to a must-hear experience.
 
I hope this has given some indication of why this is so essential a box for admirers of the composer. I appreciate that Nimbus’s sound in these 1989-91 recordings is not to everyone’s tastes, but it will certainly do, and the booklet notes are classy. What a splendid undertaking this was.
 
-- Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International