Philip Sawyers: Symphony No. 4 & Hommage to Kandinsky

"Philip Sawyers' oratorio Mayflower on the Sea of Time, to have been premiered at Worcester Cathedral, has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. So this latest release in conductor Kenneth Woods' survey of his orchestral music, is thus doubly welcome. The former violinist's big break as a composer came when his student work Symphonic Music for Strings and Brass (1972) was championed by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra in America. They commissioned Hommage to Kandinsky (2014) asking him not to spare the orchestral forces. He obliged and the result is an exciting, vibrant symphonic poem as colourful as the Russian painter's abstract art with the orchestra and Woods revelling in its rich textures and intense emotional sweep. Sawyers' three-movement Symphony No.4 (2018) employs smaller forces and has a tense, dramatic and densely-argued first movement and ends with a serenely beautiful Adagio. Excellent playing and recording quality to match." Birmingham Post

"From the pen of Philip Sawyers (a Londoner born in 1951), these are quite the best two pieces this composer has yet given us, in my opinion, and of those I have heard. Symphony No.4 (2018) opens in arresting style, a bold summons that bids our involvement in some very strong symphonic argument and varied emotions. It might be thought a Very British piece (with, to my mind, shades of Alan Rawsthorne) but its pent-up passions, and a light and shade that prevents sameness, means that it travels well in terms of its design and length (thirty-six minutes) and also with regard to future performances. Placed second is a buoyant Scherzo, as shadowy as it is fleet, that works well to counteract the cut-short (my impression) opening Moderato. Placed last is an expansive Adagio, with motivic connections to what has gone before, of haunting intimate expressivity countered by waves of intense fortissimo, and the soaring conclusion wraps the whole convincingly. I was hoping for a loud ending! The half-hour Hommage to Kandinsky (2014), written for the Grand Rapids Symphony, is equally impressive. Originating from a Kandinsky exhibition at Tate Modern that Sawyers attended, his Hommage to the Russian painter plays continuously and enjoys twelve distinct tempo markings and judicious diversions – from misty opening to a troubled ending; listener-interest never flags. Like the Symphony, Hommage to Kandinsky is scored with consummate skill (and is for larger forces) to which the BBC National Orchestra of Wales responds with relish and sensitivity, led by Kenneth Woods with typical flair and compassion. He and the composer have collaborated on an informative booklet note. Nimbus Alliance NI 6405, to be released on June 5." Colin Anderson

"…The booklet contains an excellent and detailed essay about the music by Kenneth Woods, which incorporates extensive quotes from the composer himself. I have found these invaluable and I've draw upon them in describing these two works, both of which were new to me… I believe, because the two scores on this CD and the other four discs of his orchestral music that I’ve heard demonstrate that this is a composer with a fine understanding of the modern orchestra. Couple that with a genuine melodic voice, a gift for expressing and developing his ideas, and a flair for orchestral colouring and you have a composer whose work demands to be taken very seriously.

…Here we have two significant and eloquent new works. Both display command of the orchestra and an imaginative mind at work. Both of these compositions require concentrated listening but they will reward the listener for his or her efforts. The more I hear of Philip Sawyers’ music, the more impressed I am. Here, he receives ideal advocacy from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, whose playing is expert and committed. In Kenneth Woods this composer clearly has a formidable champion; under his direction the performances exude conviction.

The recordings, made in the orchestra’s home hall in Cardiff, are excellent. The orchestral sound has impact and presence, and the engineers have achieved an impressive dynamic range and allow the details of Sawyers’ scoring to come through very well.

The musicians involved and Nimbus are to be congratulated on letting us hear these accessible and rewarding works which are the work of a composer who definitely has something worthwhile to say." Music Web International