MAXWELL DAVIES, P.: Peter Maxwell Davies - A Portrait (DUNNETT)

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is one of the most exciting and provocative composers at work in the world today. His Eight Songs for a Mad King set the dizzying pace for Britain’s 1960s avant-garde, and the recent Naxos Quartets bear witness to his continuing innovative spirit. With characteristic eloquence, ‘Max’, as he has been known since childhood, speaks about his life and career in a recorded interview on CD-ROM, highlights of which come at the end of a representative selection of his music on the two audio CDs. These, combined with an illuminating essay about the composer by Roderic Dunnett, form an excellent portrait of Britain’s Master of the Queen’s Music.

Tracklist

Disc 1
Maxwell Davies, Peter
Archibald, Paul (trumpet)
Edwards, Juliet (piano)
1 Trumpet Sonata: I. Allegro moderato 01:45
Archibald, Paul (trumpet)
Edwards, Juliet (piano)
Christophers, Harry (Conductor)
2 No. 4. Carol: O Magnum Mysterium (version for 2-part choir) 01:29
Christophers, Harry (Conductor)
3 No. 5. Carol: Alleluia, pro Virgine Maria 02:21
Christophers, Harry (Conductor)
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
4 Pavan in A Major 02:14
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
5 Pavan in B-Flat Major 01:52
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Eastman, Julius (baritone)
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
6 8 Songs for a Mad King: No. 1. The Sentry (King Prussia's Minuet) 05:23
Eastman, Julius (baritone)
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
7 Worldes Blis (Conclusion): Lento 07:21
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
8 All Sons of Adam 03:29
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Jones, Della (mezzo-soprano)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
9 Inscription No. 6. Moderato - Inscription No. 7. Recitativo lento molto flessibile 05:24
Jones, Della (mezzo-soprano)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Thomas, Kelvin (bass)
Gillett, Christopher (tenor)
Wales Music Theatre (Choir)
Scottish Chamber Opera Ensemble (Ensemble)
Rafferty, Michael (Conductor)
10 The Martyrdom of St Magnus, Scene 8: The Sacrifice 07:58
Thomas, Kelvin (bass)
Gillett, Christopher (tenor)
Wales Music Theatre (Choir)
Scottish Chamber Opera Ensemble (Ensemble)
Rafferty, Michael (Conductor)
Knowles, Gregory (cimbalom)
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
11 Image, Reflection, Shadow: II. Allegro 08:16
Knowles, Gregory (cimbalom)
Fires of London, The (Ensemble)
St Mary's School Choir, Edinburgh (Choir)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
12 No. 2. At the Shore 02:55
St Mary's School Choir, Edinburgh (Choir)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
13 No. 7. Home 01:39
St Mary's School Choir, Edinburgh (Choir)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Morrison, Lewis (clarinet)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
14 Strathclyde Concerto No. 4: Cadenza - Adagio 06:39
Morrison, Lewis (clarinet)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Jordan, Mark (Northumbrian pipes)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
15 I. Introduction 02:07
Jordan, Mark (Northumbrian pipes)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
16 II. Fairground 01:03
Jordan, Mark (Northumbrian pipes)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
17 III. Ghost Train 01:59
Jordan, Mark (Northumbrian pipes)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
18 Symphony No. 6: III. Adagio - Più animato 13:21
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Disc 2
Whelan, Paul (baritone)
Tyrrell, Lisa (soprano)
Welsh National Opera Chorus (Choir)
Welsh National Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Armstrong, Richard (Conductor)
1 The Doctor of Myddfai, Act I Scene 1: The Child's Bedroom (The Doctor, The Child) 15:06
Whelan, Paul (baritone)
Tyrrell, Lisa (soprano)
Welsh National Opera Chorus (Choir)
Welsh National Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Armstrong, Richard (Conductor)
Quinney, Robert (organ)
Houssart, Robert (organ)
Westminster Cathedral Choir (Choir)
Baker, Martin (Conductor)
2 Mass: Gloria 08:12
Quinney, Robert (organ)
Houssart, Robert (organ)
Westminster Cathedral Choir (Choir)
Baker, Martin (Conductor)
London Sinfonietta (Orchestra)
Knussen, Oliver (Conductor)
3 De Assumtione Beatae Mariae Virginis (Opening) 08:11
London Sinfonietta (Orchestra)
Knussen, Oliver (Conductor)
Royal British Legion Central Band (Orchestra)
St. George's Chapel Choir Boys, Windsor (Choir)
Hampton Court Chapel Royal Choir Boys (Choir)
St James's Palace Chapel Royal Choir Boys (Choir)
St Paul's Cathedral Choir Boys (Choir)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
London Symphony Chorus (Choir)
Westminster Abbey Choir Boys (Choir)
Westminster Cathedral Boys Choir (Choir)
Royal Military School of Music Ceremonial Trumpets (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
4 Commemoration Sixty: II. Song of Reconciliation - Prayer for Peace (excerpt) 06:46
Royal British Legion Central Band (Orchestra)
St. George's Chapel Choir Boys, Windsor (Choir)
Hampton Court Chapel Royal Choir Boys (Choir)
St James's Palace Chapel Royal Choir Boys (Choir)
St Paul's Cathedral Choir Boys (Choir)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
London Symphony Chorus (Choir)
Westminster Abbey Choir Boys (Choir)
Westminster Cathedral Boys Choir (Choir)
Royal Military School of Music Ceremonial Trumpets (Ensemble)
Maxwell Davies, Peter (Conductor)
Maggini Quartet (Ensemble)
5 Naxos Quartet No. 6: I. Allegro 06:17
Maggini Quartet (Ensemble)
Not Applicable, na
Maxwell Davies, Peter (voice)
6 'I think my first musical memories…' 07:53
Maxwell Davies, Peter (voice)
7 'I think I've always read…' 05:22
Maxwell Davies, Peter (voice)
8 'I went to Orkney first in 1970…' 06:49
Maxwell Davies, Peter (voice)
9 'The ten Naxos Quartets…' 06:31
Maxwell Davies, Peter (voice)

Total Playing Time: 02:28:22