John Turner: Highways and Byways
By Ralph Graves
I have a slogan for my WTJU radio program. It’s “exploring the highways and byways of the classical repertoire to help you discover your next favorite classical work.” So of course I’m going to audition an album entitled “Highways and Byways!”
In this case, the repertoire is “Rarities for Recorder.” And John Turner isn’t kidding. This album of contemporary recorder music is full of surprises. Recorder music by Stravinsky? It’s here.
Recorder music by percussionist William Bergsma? Got it. As well as works by big names such as Lennox Berkeley, Alexander Gretchaninov, and John McCabe. And it includes works by Christopher Ball, Peter Hope, and Dorothy Pilling, among others.
What really appeals to me is that all these works were written for the instrument. No arrangements or transcriptions here. And it’s an impressive lineup of the music.
John Turner is a true virtuoso. His career stretches back to the 1960s with David Munro and the Early Consort of London. He was also a member of Christopher Hogwood’s Early Consort of Music. Turner has premiered over 600 works for his instrument.
So consider this a mere sampling of what’s available. And a demonstration of how beautiful and expressive the recorder can sound.
The album delivers both in quality and quantity. And yes, Turner’s helped me discover some new favorite classical works.
Highways and Byways: Rarities for Recorder
John Turner, recorder
Stephen Bettaney, piano
Laura Robinson, recorder; Catherine Yates, Alex Mitchell, violas
Divine Art DDX 21245
