Ireland - London Pieces

My new recording of John Ireland's London Pieces. This is probably my favorite Ireland collection after Sarnia. The three pieces were not conceived as a set of three. Chelsea Reach and Ragamuffin were composed in 1917 and initially given the collective title "London: Impressions for Piano", and Chelsea Reach being named "The River". I guess Ireland must have thought this pair a bit unbalanced, the first item being over three times longer than the second, and somewhat restored the balance by adding Soho Forenoons, composed in 1920.
The three pieces make a lively and interesting triptych. Chelsea Reach, depicting the stretch of the Thames between Battersea Bridge and Chelsea Bridge, very near where Ireland lived, is a magnificent barcarolle with plenty of drama and a lovely distant carillon in the middle and at the end. Ragamuffin is a jaunty little scherzo, depicting a typical London scruffy boy. Soho Forenoons, marked (quasi Tambourine) evokes the urban morning bustle of the Soho quarter.
0:12 Chelsea Reach
6:48 Ragamuffin
9:00 Soho Forenoons
Chris Breemer, piano
buymeacoffee.c...
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Recording date: Friday February 23, 2024
Piano: Kawai Novus NV10S
Setting: SK-EX Rendering
Postprocessing: Concert Hall Light reverb
Art work: Walter Westley Russell - Chelsea Reach

[@DIDIERFARNIR]

Magnifique musique, merci pour cette découverte et cette interprétation pleine de couleur et de sensations.

[@ChrisBreemer]

Merci beaucoup ! 😊 Ireland's music is well worth every pianist's attention.

[@marcus8258]

Beautiful performance!

[@ChrisBreemer]

Thanks ! I love this set so much, hope it shows.

[@grahamtwist]

Really impressive playing, Chris, as these pieces are technically challenging and you showed your usual artistry and flair in these superb interpretations: bravo!

[@ChrisBreemer]

Thanks Graham ! Indeed these are far from easy, they took me considerable time to master. But what great music, don't you agree ?

[@RileyAudio]

Great performances here, I think you make the most of this set, bravo Chris! I think the first is more contemplative in mood and the second and third are more playful.

[@ChrisBreemer]

Thank you Riley ! I did put in a fair amount of effort to bring out the considerable best in these magnificent pieces.

[@MBM_Film]

first

[@ChrisBreemer]

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