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Twentieth-Century Sonatas for Cello and Piano: Delius, Bridge, Ireland, Rubbra, Clarke, Keys. Alexander Baillie (cello); John Thwaites (piano)

This critically acclaimed double CD release constitutes a natural continuation of Thwaites’ long-standing commitment to twentieth-century British music, as evidenced by earlier recordings, with the Primrose Quartet, of Hurlstone, Quilter, Dunhill and Bax (Meridian CDE 84519) and Bridge, Howells, Alwyn and Scott (Meridian CDE 84547), as well as the work represented in Thwaites_01. This performance research focus is here married with Thwaites’ equally long-standing partnership with one of the UK’s leading cellists, Alexander Baillie. The recording, in its intellectual, technical and interpretative underpinning, is designed to shed a powerful and insightful light on a collection of British cello sonatas, including premiere recordings of the cello version of Rebecca Clarke’s Sonata (more usually heard in the viola version), and Ivor Keys’ Sonata of 1957, as well as new interpretations, freshly considered in their mutually juxtaposed context, of the major works of Delius, Bridge, Ireland and Rubbra for the medium.

Independent critical reception of these recordings has been extremely high, including five-star performance and recording ratings as BBC Music Magazine Chamber Choice for October 2013: ‘These are passionate, focused, full-blooded readings without a hint of reticence or apology. Alexander Baillie and John Thwaites invest each work with the power of utter belief, and as a result these are probably the best current versions of the Bridge, Ireland, Rubbra and Delius Sonatas.’

‘The whole of this rewarding programme is as successful in its execution as it was in the planning. Since the performances are so consistently engrossing, it goes way beyond being merely useful in terms of repertoire.’ (International Record Review, October 2013).

Production of the recording was supported with funding from the Conservatoire Research Department.