Piano Sonatas by Dale and Hurlstone
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Track 10 |
“Mark Bebbington has been steadily chalking up, in what seems an incredibly short time, a highly distinguished series of interpretations of British piano music both familiar and unfamiliar for Somm. This is one of the most intriguing releases yet……anyone interested in the British piano music of the period should acquire this disc.”
Calum MacDonald, Tempo
“Two of the greatest twentieth century British piano sonatas that are stunningly played by Mark Bebbington and are beautifully recorded by Somm.”
Musicweb International – CD of the Month, September 2010
“Aside from their phenomenal difficulty and expansive scale, there is no reason why these two boldly romantic sonatas by Benjamin Dale (1885-1943) and William Hurlstone (1876-1906) should have faded from view. Mark Bebbington, indefatigable in exploring the nether reaches of the English piano repertoire, tackles their mind-boggling bravura with panache while communicating their lyrical beauty , fantasy and passion.”
Daily Telegraph, Geoffrey Norris, July 2010 4****
“The premiere recording of the Sonata in F minor by the tragically short-lived Hurlstone is a pleasing late-romantic romp. But Benjamin Dale’s work is more unusual, a meandering, discursive essay in variation form that constantly holds one’s attention. Bebbington tackles the formidable challenges of both works with skill and sensitivity.”
