Howard Ferguson

Howard Ferguson has for most of this century enjoyed a formidable reputation as both a pianist and musicologist studying piano with Harold Samuel and conducting with Sir Malcolm Sargent at London's Royal College of Music.

As a composer, he was first brought to public attention in 1932 by a performance in the Wigmore Hall of his first Violin Sonata. He went on to consolidate his compositional fortunes with a series of commissions from the Three Choirs Festival including, the Dream of the Rood for Chorus and Orchestra, a work of great inspiration and beauty, sadly neglected today. He withdrew from serious composition in the 1940s to concentrate on scholarship and musicology, the fruits of which are a considerable number of Anthologies of Early Keyboard Music, produced at a time when most of this music had lain dormant for centuries. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music from 1948-1963.

His modest output of works is notable for its diatonic basis, its lyrical warmth and a strength of construction based on classical models. His music may be deemed conservative and indeed romantic but there is no doubting the heartfelt conviction and a clarity of expression in all his works. At times, the influence of his peers might be discerned - the abundant chromaticism of Bax or the rhythmic quirks of Walton?

The 2nd Violin Sonata was written in 1948, consisting of three movements. A recitative-like introduction precedes in Allegro, often harmonically reminiscent of Brahms, A central tranquillo section recalls the spirit of the opening music with its transparent scoring and lyrical warmth. A ternary from slow movement builds to an impressive central climax and a somewhat aggressive and angular Allegro Vivo concludes a work of dark intensity.

Howard Ferguson on Guild Music

• GMCD 7120 Violin Sonata No. 2 (1948)

Page reviese 09.09.2000