Naresh Sohal: The Wanderer & Asht Prahar

£15.00

BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; David Wilson-Johnson (baritone); Jane Manning (soprano) ; Sir Andrew Davis

HTGCD 135 – 5060332663033

Product information:
Naresh Sohal (18th September 1939 – 30th April 2018) was one of the most distinctive musical voices of his generation. Born in pre-Partition India in 1939, he lived most of his life in the UK. He was a versatile and prolific composer who, over the course of a lifetime, produced over eighty works, ranging from immense orchestral works to innovative chamber pieces while also encompassing the genres of music theatre, TV documentary, feature films and ballet.

His music was performed by artists and orchestras of international standing, including the BBC Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic and the Berlin Staatskapelle orchestras. He received at least seven commissions from the BBC, two of which were for major Proms pieces. In 1987, the Indian government awarded him a Padma Shree (Order of the Lotus) for his services to Western music.

In ‘Asht Prahar’ (composed in 1965) we hear a young man boldly expressing his unique cultural perceptions through the language of the Western avantgarde. In ‘The Wanderer’ (composed 1981) the composer, in his growing maturity, shows us his ability to marshal vast forces to create sweeping soundscapes in his exploration of the ultimate question: ‘What is the nature of this universe and our place in it?’ The soloist in ‘Asht Prahar’, Jane Manning, is her inimitable and excellent self as the soloist, while David Wilson-Johnson brings gravitas and great plangency to the role of the narrator in ‘The Wanderer’. As a display of twentieth century British musical talent, these truly are landmark recordings that demonstrate, apart from anything else, the significant role played by (Sir) Andrew Davis in his advocacy of twentieth century British music.

‘Asht Prahar’ received two live performances. ‘The Wanderer’ has not been performed since its premiere. While it is regrettable that these two impressive works have been neglected, it makes this CD all the more collectable.

Categories: ,

The Wanderer
BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus; David Wilson-Johnson (baritone); Sir Andrew Davies (conductor)
Asht Prahar
BBC Scottish SO; Jane Manning (soprano); Sir Andrew Davis (conductor)

Reviews

  1. admin –

    ‘Both these performances bear out his convictions, Jane Manning adding her ethereal presence to Asht Prahar and David Wilson-Johnson bringing evident compassion to his more substantial role in The Wanderer. Both works benefit from the insightful presence of the late Sir Andrew Davis…….The sound of these broadcasts has come up decently in remastering, lacking only the last degree of clarity or definition, and Suddhaseel Sen contributes informative annotations. Those looking for a way into Sohal’s distinctive and alluring sound-world need no further incentive.’ Richard Whitehouse, Arcana FM

  2. admin –

    ‘Manning with the BBC Scottish conducted by Andrew Davis create a luminous entry point into Sohal’s mystical soundscapes, shimmering colours and fusions of cultures. The Wanderer is an epic orchestral and choral journey…and David Wilson-Johnson’s compelling baritone draws us into the bleak narrative with the Proms audience at the 1982 premiere.’ Andrew MacGregor, BBC Music Magazine

  3. admin –

    ‘There is no doubt that this work (The Wanderer) was a major undertaking for all concerned and one is reminded that the late Sir Andrew Davis, especially in his younger days, was so able to take on such a mammoth undertaking with considerable aplomb. David Wilson-Johnson sings with power and manages the wide vocal range convincingly.’ Gary Higginson, British Music Society

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