When late in life, Saint-Saëns heard music by York Bowen he commented that “He is the most remarkable of the young British composers.” Bowen’s flower blossomed between the wars, but timing is everything and as a ‘Romantic’ composer he fell victim (along with many others) to changes in taste and a musical revolution that marginalised a generation of composers worldwide. Bowen is only now re-emerging and to judge by the fine music on this CD, not before time.
The disc opens with his Clarinet Sonata. The languorous theme rolls out elegantly, the scherzo is cheeky and the final movement allows the clarinet to range widely against Benjamin Frith’s energetic pianism. Robert Plane’s creamy clarinet tone is perfect.
The impressive Rhapsody Trio begins mysteriously and moves beautifully into a conversation between instruments. Describing music can be the very devil, so if I add the phrase ‘intelligent romanticism,’ I hope you will understand. The unfinished Piano Trio from 1900 is splendid, with a strong melody in the final section.
The Phantasy Quintet, in seven sections, is written for string quartet and bass clarinet, giving the music a haunting quality as well as a distinguishing texture. However, by the time I got to the hard working Piano Trio from 1946 I was a little weary of Bowen’s limitations. Nevertheless, his music is accomplished and entertaining – an attractive by-line in musical history.
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