Chamber Music of Kenneth V. Jones

"British composer Kenneth Jones (1924–2020) is celebrated in a new release from Lyrita Records. Jones’ Chamber Music, as performed by soloists from the London Mozart Players, brings together his first award-winning works from 1950 to his 1980 work, Quinquifid, for brass quintet." Maureen Buja, Interlude [read complete review]

"The Quintet for Piano and Strings from 1967 soon launches into the kind of wrong-note jauntiness of Rawsthorne; this is a bustling movement of pounding energy and motor rhythms. The astringent slow movement stalks through an unsettled landscape before an inconclusive close, while the scurrying finale ties up any loose ends – and promptly stops. At under 13 minutes the piece might feel short-winded, but further hearings prove it to be just admirably concise. Wind quintets tend to be either cheery and/or pastoral. However, Jones’s Second begins with a fluently serious movement that even suggests hieratic chant. The brief vigoroso chirrups away cheerfully, followed by a slow movement that meanders a little uneasily – think Brian’s Rustic Scenes – before the giocoso finale carouses to a charming conclusion. Six Easy (Grade) Pieces for cello/violin are openly lyrical and melodic; they recall the anachronistically romantic idiom of Lloyd Webber – William (that is). Mostly slow and reflective, sometimes folk-tinged, if there are more of these somewhere, someone please record them – this is immediately enjoyable music…

Coming from Lyrita it is no surprise that performances, recording and documentation are all first class, and if calling this music admirably crafted and enjoyable sounds like a back-handed compliment, let me stress that a second K V Jones disc would definitely be most welcome!" Kevin Mandry, British Music Society Full review here

“I am beholden to Paul Conway for his outstanding introduction to the composer, and his discussion of the repertoire…

The first work in this outstanding programme is the Quintet for piano and string quartet… Nearly sixty years on, listeners will worry less about influences, and more about effect and integrity. This striking Quintet impresses with its energy, vigour and, on occasion, introversion. The piano is busy all the time but is not overbearing. It presents a constructive dialogue between all the instruments, never allowing one to dominate the proceedings…

I enjoy hearing what can be termed “grade music”, such as the small character pieces by Alec Rowley, Felix Swinstead or Thomas Dunhill. I guess it comes down to the fact that it is good to hear tunes created for the tyro, played by professionals. The London Mozart Players give six of the numbers from Jones’s collection devised for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Written for piano violin or cello and piano, they vary from Grade 1 to Grade 5. All are well-wrought and – no matter how technically simple – never patronising in their composition and performance. The piece that caught my ear/eye was the lovely-sounding The Day Dawns on the Breakwater…

The performances, always fully engaged and sympathetic, are aided by an excellent recording. This is a resourceful programme which introduces us to an unfairly neglected British musician. Jones’s music is always interesting, approachable and enjoyable. I would most definitely welcome a subsequent disc of his work." John France, MusicWeb International  Full review here

"British composer Kenneth Jones (1924–2020) is celebrated in a new release from Lyrita Records. Jones’ Chamber Music, as performed by soloists from the London Mozart Players, brings together his first award-winning works from 1950 to his 1980 work, Quinquifid, for brass quintet… Kenneth V Jones conducting the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra, 1960s

His Quintet for Piano and String Quartet, op. 26, was written in 1967. It puts the piano in constant dialogue with the strings, and each player has his turn to shine. The final Allegro combines material from the two earlier movements to come to a brilliant ending. In addition to this recording of Jones’ chamber music, Nimbus Music Publishing, in association with the composer’s family, is producing the scores for his Piano Quintet, Op. 26; String Quartet, Op. 6; Pianoforte Sonata, Op. 4; Wind Quintet No. 2, Op. 2; and the Quinqifid Brass Quintet (1981).

This recording also includes some of Jones’ writing for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. It was at his suggestion that the ABRSM include contemporary composer’s works in the graded examination syllabus and several of his short character pieces remain on the ABRSM syllabus today. Works from Grade I (Valley Song) to Grade 5 (The Day Dawns on the Breakwater) are here performed by members of Ensemble V.

Jones died in December 2020 and was able to listen to the first edit of this recording before his death." Maureen Buja, Interlude

"This is a very well-programmed disc. The music is fresh and interesting, and the composer is unknown to many. The performers are very good indeed. The sound on the disc is very pleasing to listen to, and the attached booklet is informative. I am very impressed with this music of Kenneth V Jones, and I am sure for many listeners, this recording will be a valuable discovery. I would love to hear some of his larger scale works, especially his oboe concerto." Geoff Pearc, Classical Music Daily