Rory Macdonald, the conductor on this album, is particularly admired for his interpretations of Mozart and Britten in opera.
Composition History
Thomas Wilson's Fourth Symphony, 'Passeleth Tapestry', was commissioned to mark Paisley's 500th anniversary as a Burgh of Barony, with 'Passeleth' being the town's 12th-century name.
Composer Biography
Thomas Wilson, born in Colorado, USA, to British parents, lived and worked in the Glasgow area of Scotland for most of his life.
Compositional Technique
The Fourth Symphony, 'Passeleth Tapestry', uses a four-note motif derived from the name Paisley, the Abbey, and the Stewarts, which furnishes material for the entire piece.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Thomas Wilson described his mature style as 'almost classical' in its lucidity, having evolved through influences like Bartók, Berg, serialism, and aleatoricism.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Thomas Wilson believed all his pieces were 'symphonic' due to their 'sense of broad, unhurried sweep, of unfolding grandness'.
Composer Biography
Thomas Wilson was dubbed 'the father of Scottish music' and was a founder member of the Scottish Society of Composers.
