Blog post by Teresa Rupp

We have received this blog from Professor Rupp of St Mary's University, Emmitsburg, USA, on her research into the background to the violin and piano arrangements by Norman O'Neill and Arthur Bent from Fiocco dance music.

Prof. Rupp identifies these as being arranged from keyboard suites by Fiocco and used latterly as exercises in Book 6 of the Suzuki method. This interesting and lively account includes links to YouTube performances and other associated material, including Adine O'Neill's likely influence in introducing Norman O'Neill to this music through her own 18th century repertoire.

Do click on the link below for an interesting read:

http://www.thescholarlydilettante.iapub.net/2022/03/31/what-the-fiocco-investigating-the-allegro/

Subscribe to a forthcoming disc with Em Records 'La Belle Dame'

Em Records is seeking to raise funds necessary to record a fascinating disc of World Premier recordings of works by Norman O'Neill, Gustav Holst, Frederick Delius, Cyril Scott and Havergal Brian with the BBC Concert Orchestra and celebrated baritone Roderick Williams.

O'Neill's orchestral baritone scena 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' sets words by John Keats. First performed at the Queen's Hall in 1910. Such was its success that the work received a number of subsequent performances, and the music critic Francis Toye described the scena as "an altogether delightful piece of work, full of imagination, poetry and sensitive response to the varying atmosphere of the poem."

Click HERE for Em Records to learn more and follow the link to subscribe

New CD by American pianist, Richard Masters

A new CD 'Percy & Friends: The Music of Grainger and his Circle' will be released this month by Heritage. American pianist, Richard Masters explores the piano works of Percy Grainger and his circle – while a student at the Hoch Conservatory, Frankfurt, Grainger studied piano with James Kwast and composition with Ivan Knorr. Knorr provided a key connection to four other composition students who would eventually be known as the Frankfurt Group. The group was comprised of five English-speaking expatriates: Grainger, Norman O’Neill (1875-1934), Cyril Scott (1879-1970), Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877-1950), and Roger Quilter (1877-1953).

Roger Quilter: Summer Evening (from Three Pieces, Op. 16)

Henry Balfour Gardiner: Con brio (from Shenadoah and Other Pieces); Adagio (from Five Pieces); Gavotte (from Five Pieces)

Cyril Scott: Lento (from Two Pierrot Pieces, Op. 35); Pierrette; Cherry Ripe; Rainbow Trout

Norman O’Neill: Deux Petites Pièces, Op. 27;

Frederick Delius: In a Summer Garden (trans. Philip Heseltine)

Percy Grainger: Bridal Lullaby; Shepherd’s Hey; Colonial Song; Spoon River; The Nightingale and the Two Sisters; Scotch Strathspey and Reel

To purchase, or for more information, please visit Heritage website: https://www.heritage-records.com/shop/keyboard/heritage-keyboard/percy-friends-the-music-of-grainger-and-his-circle/