Philip Sawyers often reuses musical threads, themes, and motifs across his works, sometimes for profound personal significance and other times because they are "very useful."
Composition History
The Elegiac Rhapsody for Trumpet and Strings was commissioned by Simon Desbruslais, the trumpet soloist on this album, in response to the death of composer John McCabe.
Recording & Production
The recordings on this album were made possible through a residency program supported by Arts Council England and The Bransford Trust, which also involved community engagement like brass workshops and youth orchestra performances.
Composition History
The Trumpet Concerto was commissioned by philanthropist Keith Stanley, who specifically requested that it not use the trumpet, piano, and strings combination found in Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1.
Composer Biography
Philip Sawyers, the composer, began composing as a teenager shortly after picking up the violin for the first time at age 13.
Performer Biography
Alexander Sitkovetsky, the violinist, made his concerto debut at age eight and studied at the Menuhin School, with Lord Menuhin serving as his inspiration and performing with him on several occasions.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer Philip Sawyers believes that music is a language, embodying both universal and personal extremes in its expression.
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