It’s a substantial milestone in a musical relationship that now goes back probably twenty years or so…. Pianist Matthew Mills says: “I am very pleased to have done Bernard’s piano album. In some cases, I don’t know what possessed me.” Although there are several of techniques, textures and devices I return to over and again – as will be obvious to anyone listening straight through – there is also a huge range of approach, from music written for piano beginners up to the most virtuosic I could imagine, and from simple blink-and-you-miss-them melodies to ferocious, post-minimalist studies. As in all aspects of my compositional work, I don’t have a single piano ‘style’, but cut my cloth according to the occasion. The inspiration was my pianist and friend, Matthew Mills, who suggested the project and who has put untold hours into learning and animating the music, some of which is very straightforward, and lots of which is very much not.Īnd this variety is very much the point for me. Partita Contrafacta (suite in 7 movements)īernard Hughes says: “ This album brings together pretty much all my music for solo piano written over the course of more than 30 years, the earliest from when I was still at school and the latest written just weeks before being recorded, in October 2022. The two musicians have been working together for years, resulting in a deep understanding of each other’s artistic vision and an unparalleled ability to bring Hughes’ compositions to life on the piano. What makes this album truly special is the culmination of many years of collaboration between Hughes and Mills, who commissioned and premieres Partita Contrafacta on the disc. With such a varied range of music, there is something for everyone on this disc. The rest of the music ranges from the large-scale Strettos and Striations to little occasional pieces written for the composer’s children. The oldest piece dates back to his teenage years and the most recent is a brand new suite, Partita Contrafacta, a quirky take on traditional Baroque dance forms. This album presents the complete works of Bernard Hughes for solo piano, an eclectic collection covering a period of over 30 years. Release date: 9 th June 2023 | Divine Art Recordings (Divine Art DDX 21107)
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