This is a world premiere recording — of a work that was completed in 1919. And, I think, it’s a work that deserves reevaluation. Charles Villiers Stanford composed his Mass “Via Victix 1914-1918” to mark the end of the Great War (now called World War I). The conflict had begun with stirring appeals to patriotism […]
Charles Villiers Stanford
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Stanford String Quartets – music with an Irish accent
This new release by the Dante Quartet features two of the eight string quartets composed by Charles Villiers Stanford. String Quartet No. 5 (1907) was written in memory of violinist and composer Joseph Joachim. As a violinist, Joachim was a major force in classical music (Brahms’ Violin Concerto and Double Concerto were written for him). […]
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Charles Villiers Stanford Piano Trio 2, Piano Quartet 1
To my ears, Stanford’s music has always sounded like Brahms with an Irish accent. That’s not a bad thing. Like Brahms, Stanford constructed his music within accepted classical frameworks. But within those frameworks he crafts his motifs and harmonies with a great deal of imagination. Which is what makes this new Naxos release a pleasure […]