York Bowen : Oeuvres de chambre

Piano International (May, 2014)
There has been something of a blossoming of interest in York Bowen in recent years. Continuing this trend, Chandos has delivered this generously filled disc of chamber music, mostly featuring piano. It’s worth mentioning the superbly crafted Clarinet Sonata (1943), here expertly played by Robert Plane. The Rhapsody-Trio of some 18 years earlier, for piano trio, is of a different (and magical) world. Lucy Gould’s searingly emotive violin playing is ably supported by Benjamin Frith. The Piano Trio of around 1900 is here completed by the present performers and here receives its premiere recording. After the mysterious world of the Phantasy Quartet (bass clarinet and strings), the unabashedly Romantic Piano Trio …