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Divine Art

Stephens: Chamber Music

$18.99

Details

Composer
Ian Stephens
Artist
Fitzwilliam String Quartet, Mandy Burvill, Jonathan Small
Format
CD
Label
Divine Art
Released
Feb 21, 2025
Catalog #
DDX 21105
UPC
809730110528

About

In this thoughtful collection of chamber music, Ian Stephens' work reveals a rare balance of melodic clarity and inventive disruption, qualities that have drawn artists like Cate Le Bon, Ian Broudie, and OMD to his arranging talents. Here, Stephens' signature rhythmic vigour, theatrical subtlety, and knack for weaving unexpected moments define each piece, creating a body of work that intrigues as much as it soothes. Celtic Elegy for clarinet and cello sets the tone with a gentle homage to Celtic traditions. Initially inspired by the Irish air She Moved Through the Fair, the piece unfolds it's own melody through understated layers, mirroring the drones and ornamentation of Scottish bagpipes. This composition showcases Stephens' sensitivity to the soul of folk music while remaining efficient in form. Springhead Echoes and the Clarinet Quintet, two works linked by memory and place, extend Stephens' nuanced approach to melody and rhythm. Commissioned in memory of Rosalind and Brian Richards, they explore themes rooted in friendship and place. Springhead Echoes for string quartet channels Brahms with themes that emerge in delicate counterpoint, invoking the charm of Rosalind's lifelong connection to her home in Dorset. Meanwhile, the Clarinet Quintet subtly references Beethoven's opera Fidelio, blending nostalgic elements with Stephens' penchant for inventive structure. In North Country for string quartet, Stephens deftly reinterprets the folk tune The Oak and the Ash, transforming it across three movements: Lilting, Heartfelt, and With Abandon. The tune surfaces and recedes, guiding listeners through a series of evolving textures. From the reflective openness of the first movement to the vibrant, Latin-inspired rhythms of the finale, Stephens showcases his ability to shift seamlessly between tradition and innovation. Finally, the Oboe Quintet offers a poignant tribute to two amateur musicians of the Liverpool music scene. Here, Stephens emphasizes the oboe's natural expressiveness through long phrases and joyful rhythmic interjections, balancing lyrical intimacy with structured dance-like sequences. The Passacaglia, inspired by Bach, builds through symmetrical chords and shifting time signatures, adding depth to the piece's intricate framework. These chamber works not only illustrate Ian Stephens' gift for melody and recontextualization but also his acute attention to instrumental character. Each piece encourages reflection, embodying both the intellect and spontaneity that mark Stephens as a contemporary voice with a profound respect for musical lineage. Ian Stephens, composer: Raised in Devon as a cellist and singer, Stephens studied at the University of Bristol and later worked with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He now teaches at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. His works, including Ella's Big Chance: A Jazz Age Cinderella and Pinocchio, demonstrate his skill in elevating melody with strong rhythmic profiles and theatrical clarity. His Celtic Elegy showcases his ability to blend soul and efficiency, earning him work as an arranger for artists like Cate Le Bon and Ian Broudie.

Tracklist 13 tracks

  1. 1 Celtic Elegy 02:34
    Track
    1
    Title
    Celtic Elegy
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Mandy Burvill, Heather Tuach
  2. 2 I. Tranquillo 08:45
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. Tranquillo
    Duration
    08:45
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  3. 3 II. Vivo 04:41
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Vivo
    Duration
    04:41
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  4. 4 III. Adagio 05:14
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Adagio
    Duration
    05:14
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  5. 5 I. Con moto 06:46
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Con moto
    Duration
    06:46
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Mandy Burvill
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  6. 6 II. Agitato 03:52
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Agitato
    Duration
    03:52
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Mandy Burvill
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  7. 7 III. Andante 06:28
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Andante
    Duration
    06:28
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Mandy Burvill
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  8. 8 I. Lilting 04:23
    Track
    8
    Title
    I. Lilting
    Duration
    04:23
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  9. 9 II. Heartfelt 04:40
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Heartfelt
    Duration
    04:40
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  10. 10 III. With Abandon 03:59
    Track
    10
    Title
    III. With Abandon
    Duration
    03:59
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  11. 11 I. Senza misura - Agitato 07:24
    Track
    11
    Title
    I. Senza misura - Agitato
    Duration
    07:24
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Jonathan Small
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  12. 12 II. Passacaglia: Andante 07:53
    Track
    12
    Title
    II. Passacaglia: Andante
    Duration
    07:53
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Jonathan Small
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet
  13. 13 III. Molto vivace 07:43
    Track
    13
    Title
    III. Molto vivace
    Duration
    07:43
    Composer
    Ian Stephens
    Performer
    Jonathan Small
    Ensemble
    Fitzwilliam String Quartet