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Track(s) taken from SIGCD232

Elegy for a lost son

composer

Caroline Dale (cello), English Chamber Orchestra, Steve Sidwell (conductor)
Recording details: August 2010
Phoenix Sound, Pinewood Studios, United Kingdom
Produced by Mike Sheppard & Tonia Sheppard
Engineered by Dick Lewzey
Release date: November 2010
Total duration: 4 minutes 16 seconds

Cover artwork: Woman and Boy. Eva Mueller (b?)
 

Reviews

'A prominent feature in Mike Sheppard's music is its strong neo-pastoral quality. Sweeping melodic shapes are underpinned by sumptuous modal harmonies which flow out of a lush lyrical bedrock, as heard here on 'Elegy for a Lost Son', 'Lullaby' and 'Ellie's Theme' … efficacious in this respect are the commanding performances heard here, especially that of cellist Caroline Dale. This may not be technically difficult music but it still requires thought and understanding. Dale manages to draw every drop of emotional energy from the instrument on 'Soliloquy' and 'A Remark You Made'. It is fitting that her beautifully weighted sound is heard at the very beginning and end of this album' (Gramophone)

'If you want to lie back to something warm, soothing, yet intense, this is unquestionably it. Beautiful music, played with passion, even if harder personality types might prefer a drier acoustic for the cello' (Classic FM)» More
This piece was originally conceived as a film cue. The scene depicted an emotional cri de cœur from an anguished father for his infant son, snatched from him at only one day old. The repetitive three-note falling refrain first heard in the solo cello encapsulates the sighing, bitter-sweet anguish of a parent’s unfulfilled love.

from notes by Mike Sheppard © 2010

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