Howard Skempton, born in 1947, is known for the distinctive clarity of his musical language and has composed over 300 pieces, many of which are miniatures for solo piano or accordion.
Compositional Technique
Howard Skempton's Images, composed in 1989, broke new ground by using rhythmic canon to enliven modal material, a technique he continued to develop.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Howard Skempton's piano music, though appearing simple, is distilled to its essentials, requiring precise calibration of every note, chord, and gesture from the performer.
Composition History
The idea for Howard Skempton's 24 Preludes and Fugues originated in 2011 after William Howard, the pianist, recorded Pavel Zemek Novák's similar cycle.
Composition History
Howard Skempton's Three Nocturnes were a formal commission from the BBC as part of British Music Year, 1995, and were written for pianist John Tilbury.
Performer Biography
William Howard, the pianist on this album, founded the Schubert Ensemble in 1983 and performed with them for 35 years until their retirement in 2018.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at St. Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town, London, between August 22-24, 2019, using a Steinway model 'D' piano.
