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Track(s) taken from SIGCD232

Artemis and Orion

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: 3 minutes 50 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
A huntress tricked into murdering her lover by her jealous brother; the loss of her beloved at her own hand, the self-inflicted grief and despair which gives way to a joyous recollection of a perfect love. Such is the story of the goddess Artemis as depicted in this piece.

There are various accounts of this story, but the one I have used tells how Artemis fell in love with Orion, sending her twin, Apollo, into a jealous rage. One day while the twins were hunting, Apollo saw Orion swimming far out to sea. Apollo, recognising him, challenged his sister to fire an arrow at the distant object. The great huntress could not resist the challenge and pierced Orion’s temple, killing her beloved at a stroke. The slow, reflective introduction gives way to a faster section that introduces a carefree theme of joyful reminiscence.

from notes by Mike Sheppard © 2010

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