The composer's Fantasy-Sonata: Hamlet was commissioned by pianist Rhondda Gillespie for the 1980 Buxton Festival, which had a Shakespearean theme.
Composer Biography
Robert Matthew-Walker, the composer, put his early desire to compose on hold during his army service and work in the City of London, reviving it in 1972.
Recording & Production
All tracks on this album are first recordings, except for the Fantasy-Sonata: Hamlet (Piano Sonata No.3) Op.34 and the Divertimento on a Theme of Mozart for Piano Duet, Op.57.
Composer Biography
Robert Matthew-Walker studied in Paris with Darius Milhaud, a French composer known for his prolific output and membership in 'Les Six'.
Compositional Technique
The Fantasy-Sonata: Hamlet is a metaphysical work in one continuous movement, unified by a constant pulse and a linking tonal thread centered on F minor.
Performer Biography
Mark Bebbington, the pianist on this recording, has gained international acclaim for his 30 discs of British music for SOMM, including cycles of Frank Bridge, John Ireland, and Vaughan Williams.
Composer Biography
Hans Keller, a musicologist and critic, encouraged Robert Matthew-Walker to compose, challenging him to write a work on just three notes.
You might also enjoy...
Lifelines
War Poems
Horowitz: A Reminiscence [Expanded Edition]
Bolcom: Music for Solo Piano
Piano Music - Schumann, R. / Kabalevsky, D. / Schubert, F. / Bartok , B. (Such Stuff As Dreams - Lullaby Album for Children and Adults)
Festival International de Piano La Roque d'Anthéron 2024
39ème Festival International de Piano de La Roque d'Anthéron
