STEPHEN DODGSON (1924-2013): Complete Music for Cello and Piano - 2 RomanticPieces (Set A), Cello Sonata, 2 Romantic Pieces (Set B), 5 Occasional Pieces.

Description: Dodgson's idiom was resolutely tonal, though not conservatively so. He admired Janáček, which is evident in the unexpected harmonic side-steps that the music often takes, and the development of small, effortlessly memorable motivic cells; and he loved the music of the Baroque, reflected in his florid, ornamented melodic lines. The Cello Sonata is a substantial work in the traditional three movements, but its freely rhapsodic nature within those movements and the equality of the performers as duo partners, neither consistently dominating and being accompanied by the other, suggests a degree of avoidance of classical-romantic norms. The first movement is brisk and energetic, the slow movement passionate and predominantly dark-toned, the finale mercurial and unpredictable. The Five Pieces form a substantial suite, Baroque in outline, Romantic in expression. The second movement, 'Dialogue' is questing and emotionally unsettled; there are two vigorous, rustic, satirical dancelike movements and a lovely melodic aria. The two sets of Romantic pieces, written a decade apart and three decades after the sonata and Five Pieces, also form a kind of suite. As the title suggests, they are very Romantic in expression, working up a fine passion and drama, if anything even more consistently so than the larger earlier pieces. Evva Mizerska (cello), Emma Abbiate (piano).