John Turner, renowned for his virtuosity on the recorder, presents "A Few More Surprises," a captivating collection of chamber music set for release on July 4, 2025, under the ASC Records label. This album, recorded in 2024 and produced under license by Prima Facie, showcases Turner's exceptional skill and versatility, accompanied by pianist Stephen Bettaney and soprano Lesley-Jane Rogers.
Spanning a diverse range of compositions, "A Few More Surprises" offers a rich tapestry of musical styles and periods. The album opens with Hedges' poignant "Elegy for Tony," setting the tone for a journey through works by Ferguson, Stevens, Blake, Banfield, Steele, Stanley, Dickinson, Golland, Seiber, Rogers, Kaprálová, Paddison, Baron, Hendrie, and Turner himself. Each piece is meticulously crafted, demonstrating the recorder's remarkable expressive range and technical possibilities.
The album's duration of 1 hour and 16 minutes provides a substantial exploration of the recorder's potential in chamber music settings. From the delicate intricacies of solo recorder pieces like Dickinson's "Air" and Golland's "Caprice" to the dynamic interplay of works for recorder and piano, such as Banfield's "Three Miniatures" and Stanley's "Sonata in F Major," Turner and his collaborators deliver a performance of remarkable depth and nuance.
"High Noon" by Steele and "The Mulberry Road" by Blake, featuring the enchanting vocals of Lesley-Jane Rogers, add a lyrical dimension to the album, highlighting the recorder's ability to blend seamlessly with the human voice. The inclusion of Kaprálová's "Tales of a Small Flute" offers a glimpse into the lesser-known repertoire for the instrument, while Paddison's "After Orpheus" and Turner's own "Wedding Notes" provide contemporary perspectives on the recorder's evolving role in modern music.
With detailed liner notes by John Turner, this album is not just a collection of beautiful music but also an educational journey into the world of the recorder. The packaging, presented in a classic jewel case, includes a barcode (7141148052445) and catalog number (PFCD246), ensuring easy identification and availability. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the recorder's charms, "A Few More Surprises" promises an engaging and enriching listening experience.
2025 Prima Facie2025 Prima Facie
Tracks
Hedges: Elegy for Tony, Op. 167, for recorder and pianoAnthony Hedges, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Ferguson: Three Sketches, Op. 14, for recorder and piano I. Poco AllegroHoward Ferguson, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Ferguson: Three Sketches, Op. 14, for recorder and piano II. AndanteHoward Ferguson, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Ferguson: Three Sketches, Op. 14, for recorder and piano III. Con Moto (Based on a Hindu melody - Cuckoos sing in the Mango Tree)Howard Ferguson, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Stevens: Variations on Bobby Shafto, for recorder and pianoRobin Stevens, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Blake: The Mulberry Road, for soprano and recorderDavid Blake, John Turner, Lesley-Jane Rogers
Banfield: Capriccio, for recorder and pianoStephen Banfield, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Steele: High Noon, for recorder and pianoDouglas Steele, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Steele: Hark Shepherds Awake, for soprano and recorderDouglas Steele, John Turner, Lesley-Jane Rogers
Steele: Serenade, for recorder and pianoDouglas Steele, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Stanley: Sonata in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, for recorder and piano I. AdagioJohn Stanley, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Stanley: Sonata in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, for recorder and piano II. AllegroJohn Stanley, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Stanley: Sonata in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, for recorder and piano III. GiggJohn Stanley, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Banfield: Three Miniatures, for descant recorder and piano I. Moderato-piacevoleStephen Banfield, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Banfield: Three Miniatures, for descant recorder and piano II. LentoStephen Banfield, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Banfield: Three Miniatures, for descant recorder and piano III. Allegro VivaceStephen Banfield, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Dickinson: Homage to Poulenc, for recorder and pianoPeter Dickinson, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Dickinson: Air, for solo recorderPeter Dickinson, John Turner
Golland: Caprice for solo recorder, Op. 76John Golland, John Turner
Seiber: Pastorale, for recorder and pianoMatyas Seiber, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Rogers: Deux Bouches, a Vocalise for soprano and recorderLesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
Kaprálová: Tales of a Small Flute (Povídky Malé Flétny) for recorder and piano I. Volně (Andante)Vitezslava Kaprálová, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Kaprálová: Tales of a Small Flute (Povídky Malé Flétny) for recorder and piano II. Rychle (Allegro)Vitezslava Kaprálová, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Paddison: After Orpheus, for recorder and pianoMax Paddison, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Baron: Picnic, for recorder and pianoMichael Baron, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Hendrie: Cassoulet Rag, for recorder and pianoGerald Hendrie, John Turner, Stephen Bettaney
Turner: Wedding Notes, for solo recorderJohn Turner
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