Dodgson ‘Mirage’: Osman Tack (Somm Recordings CD) ★★★★
The English composer Stephen Dodgson (1924-2013) is probably best known for his guitar music, particularly the Concerto No.1 he wrote for Julian Bream (1956) and the Concerto No.2 for John Williams (1972). His prolific output is much more varied; Somm has issued two discs devoted to his songs, another to his choral music and now comes this one of his piano works.
The disc has five works – nearly all premiere recordings – covering nearly fifty years of Dodgson’s long career. Robert Matthew-Walker’s notes describe Dodgson’s music as “urbane and civilised” which is a good summation of its virtues and limitations. Pianist Osman Tack finds plenty of character in the charming ‘Eight Fanciful Preludes’ (1956), I enjoyed the zany ‘Crazy Kate’ and the limping off-kilter ‘Il Zoppo’ (‘The Cripple’). The ‘Four Moods of the Wind Suite’ (1968) is impressionistic, while the ‘Six Bagatelles’ Set 2 (1998-2005) are occasionally dark and disturbing. The ‘Three Impromptus’ (1962, revised 1985) and Piano Sonata No.7 (2003) exhibit Dodgson’s quirky tonal style, the type once called “wrong-note romanticism”.
The recording, made at Potton Hall, is clear, spacious and impressively life-like.
Norman Stinchcombe
West Midlands Music
