{"product_id":"james-gilchrist-discovering-wilfred-heaton-cd","title":"James Gilchrist - Discovering Wilfred Heaton Music CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscovering Wilfred HeatonPremiere recordings of major instrumental works by a remarkable yet overlooked English composerWilfred Heaton (1918-2000) is a name well-revered in brass band circles, but nearly unknown in the wider world of classical music. Discovering Wilfred Heaton seeks to change that with no less than seven premiere recordings from pianists Murray McLachlan and Rose McLachlan, tenor James Gilchrist, clarinetist Linda Merrick, and flutist Alex Jakeman.The album is anchored by the first recording of Heaton's monumental Piano Sonata, which was performed in 2024 to rapturous applause by Murray McLachlan at Manchester's Stoller Hall. The Sonata, composed in the 1950s, is a work of striking ambition and depth. Harmonically daring, emotionally raw, and technically formidable, it stands comparison with the great mid-century sonatas of Bartok and Prokofiev. From the muscular counterpoint of it's opening, through a grief-tinged slow movement and a dazzling finale, Heaton's sonata reveals a powerful, individual voice he was fearless in embracing big themes, bold melodies, and contemporary idioms.Also featured are first recordings of the Three Pieces for Piano (1954), and the poignant piano suite Pilgrim Reflections, adapted from Heaton's mystery play Pilgrim's Song. A selection of Heaton's rarely-heard songs written in his youth and again in later life are performed here by the acclaimed tenor James Gilchrist, accompanied by Rose McLachlan. Together, these works illuminate Heaton's stylistic evolution: his command of bitonality, rhythmic complexity, and melodic invention, rooted in a deep understanding of Bach and Brahms, and influenced by Walton, Hindemith, Bartok and Stravinsky.Heaton's career was shaped by a lifelong tension between personal conviction and professional ambition. A deeply private Yorkshireman, he turned away from a mainstream musical path after early promise studying with Matyas Seiber and submitting works to the Society for the Promotion of New Music choosing instead a life of teaching, reflection, and selective composition. The result is a body of work of exceptional quality, much of it unpublished or unheard until now.This album is not only a significant act of musical archaeology by Heaton's biographer and editor Paul Hindmarsh  - it is a compelling argument for Heaton's inclusion among Britain's most original post-war composers.Track highlights:-Piano Sonata (premiere recording) - Murray McLachlan, piano-Three Pieces for Piano (1954)-Pilgrim Reflections (suite for solo piano)For fans of: Bartok, Britten, Prokofiev, William Walton, Elisabeth Lutyens, early Tippett.An essential discovery for collectors, performers, and listeners drawn to British 20th-century repertoire beyond the usual names.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cdiv data-bt-autogen\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracklist:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo Morning Songs for high voice and piano~The Dove's Answer, WH61\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo Morning Songs for high voice and piano~Hay Harvest, WH 57\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWith Empty Hands, WH62 for high voice and piano\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo Love Songs, WH52a~O Fortune for solo voice (from The Firstborn)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo Love Songs, WH52a~The Chief Glory for voice and piano (from The Mighty Magician)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePiano Sonata, WH34~I. (no tempo indication)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePiano Sonata, WH34~II. Presto con energia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePiano Sonata, WH34~III. Lento\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePiano Sonata, WH34~IV. Allegro vigoroso\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePilgrim Reflections, WH54d Variations for piano (adapted from Pilgrim's Song)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree Pieces for Piano, WH36~I. Tempestuoso\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree Pieces for Piano, WH36~II. Andante tempo rubato\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree Pieces for Piano, WH36~III. Vivo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLittle Suite for flute and piano, WH31~I. Grave - Prestissimo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLittle Suite for flute and piano, WH31~II. Con energia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLittle Suite for flute and piano, WH31~III. Cantabile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLittle Suite for flute and piano, WH31~IV. Giocoso e ritmico\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLittle Suite for flute and piano, WH31~V. Presto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWelcome for Me, WH63 for medium voice and piano\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree West Indian Melodies, WH37~I. Prestissimo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree West Indian Melodies, WH37~II. Andante\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree West Indian Melodies, WH37~III. Allegrissimo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 809730113826\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Divine Art\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10.3.25\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e CD\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Broadtime","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42111029477451,"sku":"347652","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/7223\/1499\/files\/4445252-3422688.jpg?v=1770183130","url":"https:\/\/rockbandmerch.com\/products\/james-gilchrist-discovering-wilfred-heaton-cd","provider":"Rock Band Merch","version":"1.0","type":"link"}