Viola Sonata No 1 in C minor Op 18
Romance in D flat major
Fantasia for 4 violas Op 41
BEETHOVEN Adagio sostenuto
Phantasy in F major Op 54
Viola Sonata No 2 in F major Op 22
Romance in A major
Allegro de concert
Melody for the G string Op 47
Melody for the C string Op 51 No 2
Rhapsody in G minor

‘Power is a latter-day Orpheus, an expression of music’s power to disarm, encourage, soothe and serenade’ (Financial Times).

This recent appraisal of Lawrence Power affirms his status as one of the foremost violists of today, the heir to the long and honoured tradition of Lionel Tertis and William Primrose. His unwavering musical eloquence and brilliant technical ability have consistently drawn the highest praise for all his recordings and performances. His renditions of viola concertos by Walton, Rubbra, Cecil Forsyth and York Bowen have been acclaimed as benchmark recordings. He now presents a fascinating double-album of York Bowen’s viola music: a selection that fully demonstrates the great artistry of the composer known as the ‘English Rachmaninov’.

Bowen first came under the spell of the viola player Lionel Tertis when a student at the Royal Academy of Music. He responded to Tertis’s unprecedented virtuosity and large tone with two sonatas, a concerto and many shorter pieces. He continued to write works for Tertis throughout his life, all of which are recorded here, and they display the sort of extraordinary technical challenges which prove what an amazing virtuoso he was.



SUNDAY TIMES CLASSICAL CD OF THE WEEK

RECORDING OF THE WEEK - CLASSICAL MUSIC MAGAZINE

CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE INSTRUMENTAL DISC OF THE MONTH

'Bowen's music … is full of surprises and of a harmonic language and idiom peculiarly his own … Both CDs are beautifully planned … and the performances could hardly be more glowing. Bowen's writing for both instruments is more than demanding yet nothing detracts from Lawrence Power's and Simon Crawford-Phillips's enviable fluency and achievement. Once again Hyperion hits the jackpot in a much-needed revival and the sound and balance are exemplary' (Gramophone)

'The two viola sonatas of 1905 and 1906 are clearly inspired by the romantic style of Brahms's late sonatas for clarinet and viola. They are worthy successors, at least when played with the sumptuous tone, passionate convinction and supreme technical address that Power lavishes on them here. Even finer are the two single-movement pieces … Crawford-Phillips relishes the bravura of Bowen's writing for the piano in this superbly executed set, unlikely to be equalled very soon' (Sunday Times) 'Once again Hyperion has hit the jackpot in a much-needed revival and the sound and balance are exemplary' (Gramophone) 'The music of the hugely prolific York Bowen is enjoying something of a renaissance … His long association with England's great champion of the viola, Lionel Tertis, produced some signficant sonatas, romances and rhapsodies which see the light of day again in this recording. Lawrence Power's gorgeous dark red tone is perfect for this repertoire' (Observer)

'Composers whose rich romanticism was out of favour among 20th-century pundits who favoured angular austerity are finally receiving their due. Bowen believed the viola sounded more attractive than the violin and has a persuasive advocate in Power' (Classical Music Magazine)

'All the pieces show Bowen's love of the instrument's capacity to unfold long-limbed, rhapsodic melodies … Lawrence Power's richly expressive moulding of them is a rare treat in itself' (The Guardian)

---

Recording details: November 2007; Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, United Kingdom; Produced by Andrew Keener; Engineered by Simon Eadon; Release date: July 2008; Total duration: 121 minutes 13 seconds