The music of John Hopkins
Olivia Robinson and University Ensemble conducted by Robin Browning
Four works of British composer John Hopkins featuring the mellifluous voice of Olivia Robinson with the accomplished University Ensemble.
Cat. Number: |
020011012 |
Year of issue: |
2008 |
Duration: |
71:50 |
No. of tracks: |
18 |
Recording date: |
6th & 13th of January 2008 |
Recorded at: |
The Weston Auditorium, Hatfield |
Overview
The journey from rock guitarist to respected high art music composer is not a straightforward one but that is the way John Hopkins chose to travel. Inevitably it brought with a vivid range of music metaphors and expressions which now, in full maturity colour his music thoroughly.
The four cycles contained on this recording span a couple of decades, the most recent being the Akhmatova Songs which were commissioned by The University of Hertfordshire for Mayfest 2004. The texts of the cycles amply demonstrate John’s catholic literary taste and his choice of instrumentation for each work, (Perseids apart) from the minimal flute and viola for Three Chinese Lyrics to the more expansive sextet for Akhmatova demonstrate his skill of orchestration and his manipulation of counterpoint and harmony.
This is an expressive album beautifully sung by Olivia Robinson and fastidiously directed by Robin Browning.
Track Listing:
| Track |
Title |
Duration |
Composer |
| 1 |
In the White Hours: I. Cut Grass |
2.45 |
John Hopkins |
| 2 |
In the White Hours: II. Gathering Wood |
1.45 |
John Hopkins |
| 3 |
In the White Hours: III. The Winter Palace |
2.42 |
John Hopkins |
| 4 |
In the White Hours: IV. Blizzard |
1.53 |
John Hopkins |
| 5 |
In the White Hours: V. Interlude - Aubade |
1.47 |
John Hopkins |
| 6 |
In the White Hours: VI. Morning at Last |
4.11 |
John Hopkins |
| 7 |
Watching the Perseids: I. Looking and Finding |
4.17 |
John Hopkins |
| 8 |
Watching the Perseids: II. The Pool |
3.38 |
John Hopkins |
| 9 |
Watching the Perseids: III. Cat's Cradle |
2.46 |
John Hopkins |
| 10 |
Watching the Perseids: IV. The View from the Hill |
3.15 |
John Hopkins |
| 11 |
Watching the Perseids: V. Giles Scupham |
4.04 |
John Hopkins |
| 12 |
Watching the Perseids: VI. Remembering the Dead |
8.49 |
John Hopkins |
| 13 |
Three Chinese Lyrics: I. Pear Garden Dancers |
5.18 |
John Hopkins |
| 14 |
Three Chinese Lyrics: II. Smiles, Snowflakes, Tears |
3.54 |
John Hopkins |
| 15 |
Three Chinese Lyrics: III. Seventh Song |
5.32 |
John Hopkins |
| 16 |
Akhmatova Songs: I. Music |
4.19 |
John Hopkins |
| 17 |
Akhmatova Songs: II. Echo |
5.57 |
John Hopkins |
| 18 |
Akhmatova Songs: III. Listening to Singing |
4.58 |
John Hopkins |