The Piano Sonata No. 2 by John McLeod was lost after the tragic death of its commissioner, Bryn Turley, and was later reconstructed by McLeod using material from an earlier work.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at four live concerts held in the Stoller Hall, Manchester, as part of the 17th Chetham's International Summer School and Festival for Pianists in August 2017.
Compositional Technique
The Twelve Preludes by John McLeod, like those of Bach and Chopin, explore keyboard techniques creatively, but use a unique key system that discards accidentals as it progresses.
Composer Biography
John McLeod, the composer, initially studied clarinet with renowned musicians like Jack Brymer and Reginald Kell before focusing on composition with Sir Lennox Berkeley.
Composition History
John McLeod's Three Protest Pieces are piano interludes from his song-cycle 'Chansons de la Nuit et Brouillard,' which sets poems by Jean Cayrol and explores themes of animal cruelty and environmental pollution.
Compositional Technique
John McLeod's Piano Sonata No. 3, commissioned by the University of Aberdeen, incorporates a theme by Scottish Renaissance composer Robert Carver, specifically 'Dona Nobis Pacem' from his Missa l'homme Arme.
Composer's Artistic Vision
John McLeod's piano works, written over 50 years, stem from his lifelong love and empathy for the instrument, despite his primary performing career being as a clarinettist and conductor.
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