Fletcher’s expertly crafted distillation of Cobbold’s novel is set by Dodgson to music that’s as telling as it is unobtrusive ... Dodgson’s compositions went wider and deeper than any of us imagined ... Like Britten, he had the gift of needing very few instrument – Margaret Catchpole is scored for just 11 players – to paint pictures and distil moods.
There is a wonderful limpidity to Dodgson’s vocal lines, the words … always clearly audible and never obscured by the accompanying ensemble... The fanciful ending... is wonderfully poetic in Dodgson’s sunlit setting.
Announcing the release of 'Colloquy', a disc of guitar compositions and arrangements from the Renaissance up to the present day featuring Stephen Dodgson's Promenade I.
An interview with conductor Julian Perkins about his friendship with Stephen Dodgson, the imaginative depictions of contrasting characters and landscapes in Margaret Catchpole, the composers whose influences can be felt in its soundworld, and plans for more recordings of Dodgson's music...
Stephen Dodgson left a notable body of work that is edging towards the recognition it deserves. Dodgson’s use of timbre, particularly woodwind (such as the gorgeous clarinet solos in Acts III and IV), recalls Britten's Sea Interludes, and his landscapes (the mists over the River Orwell; sunny Sydney) have an evocative, representational quality. William Wallace beguiles as bad boy Will Laud and Alistair Ollerenshaw is strong as the reliable, eventual ‘public benefactor’ John Barry
James Gilchrist talks to Radio 3's Sean Rafferty on In Tune about performing and recording Stephen Dodgson's solo songs, choosing between a medical and musical career, and music in the context of the pandemic.
In a concert devoted to the songs of Stephen Dodgson “Bow-wow” was the last word. Bow they did, and rightly so, and “wow!” is my response. Stephen Dodgson’s music was completely new to me, and I want to know more about this unique and evocative music.
Star trumpeter Imogen Whitehead will be performing a movement from Stephen Dodgson’s Trumpet Concerto as part of a concert that launches ‘Connection’, her online album of works composed especially for her by a number of celebrated, renowned composers. She performs alongside pianist Jennifer Walsh in the version for piano. (The album version is the orchestral version performed with Britten Sinfonia.) The programme will include works by Sally Beamish, Roxanna Panufnik, Stephen Dodgson, Peter Maxwell Davies, Charlotte Harding, Andy Scott and Simon Hancock, as well as conversations with some of the composers. This will be an un-ticketed event. Donations will be welcome afterwards and a share of the proceeds[...]
Violinist Harriet Mackenzie and pianist Nikolai Medvedev perform Stephen Dodgson’s Five Occasional Pieces and Violin Sonata No. 1 in a concert that explores and celebrates works by English Masters. The pair are going on to record a complete album of Stephen Dodgson works this summer. Nikolai Medvedev – ”a mesmerizing combination of technical mastery and emotive depth” – Berliner Morgenpost Harriet Mackenzie “A knock-out from start to finish” – Guardian Programme: English Masters Dowland – Flow my Tears & Now Oh now Eccles – Mad Lover’s Suite, Ground (Aire V) Dodgson – Five Occasional Pieces Elgar – Chanson de Nuit Dodgson – Sonata No.[...]
On the eve of the longest day of the year, London chamber choir Vivamus present a special programme which celebrates light in all its forms, from pale morning rays to gleaming stars at night including Stephen Dodgson’s three-song cycle Canticle of the Sun. Beginning with Macmillan’s O Radiant Dawn, they explore musical manifestations of sunlight with Ešenvalds Rivers of Light, Dodgson’s Canticle of the Sun, and organ solo Lumière by Demessieux. Via Saari’s Sunset they then journey through dusk to the lights of the night sky, including piano solos Moon over Westminster by Bingham and Clair de Lune by Debussy, alongside Time, an original[...]
Violinist Harriet Mackenzie and pianist Nikolai Medvedev perform Stephen Dodgson’s Ten Variations & Violin Sonata No. 2 in a Berlin concert which sets the works aside those of other masters, Bach, Mozart and Grieg. The duo are also going on to record a complete album of Stephen Dodgson works this summer. Nikolai Medvedev – ”a mesmerizing combination of technical mastery and emotive depth” – Berliner Morgenpost Harriet Mackenzie “A knock-out from start to finish” – Guardian Programme JS Bach – Sonata in G major BWV 1021 Stephen Dodgson – Ten Variations Mozart – Sonata in E minor , no 21, K304 Stephen Dodgson – Sonata no. 2[...]
In a second German concert, violinist Harriet Mackenzie and pianist Nikolai Medvedev perform Stephen Dodgson’s Ten Variations & Violin Sonata No. 2 in Bamberg, setting the works aside those of other masters, Bach, Mozart and Grieg. The duo are also going on to record a complete album of Stephen Dodgson works this summer. Nikolai Medvedev – ”a mesmerizing combination of technical mastery and emotive depth” – Berliner Morgenpost Harriet Mackenzie “A knock-out from start to finish” – Guardian Programme JS Bach – Sonata in G major BWV 1021 Stephen Dodgson – Ten Variations Mozart – Sonata in E minor , no 21, K304 Stephen Dodgson – Sonata no. 2[...]