IDAGIO | York Bowen & Rebecca Clarke – Sonatas for viola and piano 6417513105315

Featuring

Hanna Hohti
Anna Kuvaja
York Bowen
Rebecca Clarke

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Historical Context

Rebecca Clarke was among the first six women musicians hired by conductor Henry Wood for his Queen's Hall Orchestra in 1912, breaking gender barriers in the music world.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Both Rebecca Clarke and York Bowen were accomplished instrumentalists, especially in chamber music, which is reflected in their viola sonatas through balanced writing and deep understanding of the viola.

Performer Biography

Pianist Anna Kuvaja is a versatile artist known as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, active fortepianist, and performer of contemporary repertoire.

Recording & Production

The performers aimed to explore how the early 20th-century era comes to life in these sonatas when performed on authentic instruments.

Instruments

The historical Pleyel grand piano used on this recording dates from 1874 and differs from modern grand pianos with its straight strings and distinctive registers, producing a sparklingly crisp and impressionistic sound.

Composition History

The viola sonatas by Rebecca Clarke and York Bowen on this album are connected through the influential violist Lionel Tertis, who was Clarke's pupil and Bowen's long-term collaborator.

Composer Biography

Rebecca Clarke and York Bowen, composers on this album, belonged to the same generation, grew up in the same city (London), and studied at some of the same colleges.