Melody for the G string, Op 47

composer

York Bowen (1884-1961)

1917; in G flat major; first performed by Lionel Tertis and Bowen on 7 July 1917; published in 1923 by Swan & Co; Andante tranquillo

Recordings

Bowen: The complete works for viola & piano

Lawrence Power (viola), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano)

Buy by post £26.98 CDA67651/2 2CDs

Bowen: The complete works for violin and piano

Chloë Hanslip (violin), Danny Driver (piano)

Buy by post £26.98 CDA67991/2 2CDs Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

Details

Lawrence Power (viola), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano)

Track 6 on CDA67651/2 CD2 [3'53] 2CDs

English

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Chloë Hanslip (violin), Danny Driver (piano)

Track 9 on CDA67991/2 CD1 [5'12] 2CDs

Melody for the G string, Op 47

EnglishFrançaisDeutsch

Published by Swan & Co in 1923 and later reissued by Josef Weinberger, the Melody for the G string was conceived for violin or viola playing in the same octave register. Accordingly it confines itself to darker hues and a modest range of pitch, its technical challenges arising from its key, G flat major. Assuming an accompanist of professional standing, Bowen is able to embellish and elevate a simple conceit by pianistic and harmonic means. The result is a gently affecting statement in ternary form and triple time, dominated by the rhythm presented in the violinist’s opening notes.

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Hyperion Records