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SYMPHONY No. 5 SYMPHONY No. 5 The third movement is about vitality and STRING QUARTET NO. 1 STRING QUARTET NO. 1 adventure. It is very energetic, with some lighter sections and some progressively stormy or even CHRISTOPHER GUNNING Symphony no 5 was composed during 2009 and warlike music; there’s a crash of thunder at is my most ambitious to date. Unlike numbers the climax, after which things subside and the 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, which are continuous, it is in movement ends as it began. The last movement four extended movements. There is no strict is the most extended. Some of it is turbulent, Symphony No. 5 programme, but the music moves through several some fiercely dramatic, and some expressive. 1 I. [13.00] phases which could be said to correspond to Finally, the music returns once again to the 2 II. [10.29] one’s journey from birth to death. The symphony opening motif; “dust to dust and ashes to 3 III. [11.08] is dedicated to the memory of my sister ashes.” The Royal Philharmonic played their 4 IV. [17.03] Rosemary, who grappled with illness throughout socks off during two exhilarating days at Air Lyndhurst Studios. ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA the composition of the work, and died as I was CHRISTOPHER GUNNING CONDUCTOR completing it. My String Quartet was composed in 1999, and The first movement is both lyrical and dramatic; revised in 2006. Each of the four movements is String Quartet No. 1 it commences with motifs heard in woodwind based on on a three note motif, C-D-G, with it’s 5 I. Passacaglia [5.36] flourishes, the notes of which will be used in four possible transpositions. The first is an arch- 6 II. Scherzo fugato [6.11] various transformations during the course of the shaped passacaglia, and the secondis a fast 7 III. Nocturne [4.40] symphony. Otherwise, the movement is shaped semi-fugal scherzo. The third is quietly expressive 8 IV. Rondo Ostinato [7.49] roughly like a “classical” first movement, with and the last is a bright rondo with ostinati based themes derived from the woodwind figures, a on the 3 note idea. Total Timings [75.56] central development section, and a recapitulation complete with a return of the the opening motifs. The Juno Quartet, Jacqueline Shave, Magnus THE JUNO QUARTET The second movement is far gentler, and here I Johnston, Claire Finnemore and Caroline Dearnely, Jacqueline Shave, Magnus Johnston violins was pondering on my own childhood and the early gave their all and were absolutely lovely to Claire Finnemore viola years of my four beloved daughters. A soft flute work with. Caroline Dearnely cello theme gives way to grander sections, as well as more playful music.

www.signumrecords.com - 3 - CHRISTOPHER GUNNING renaissance is in full swing, this is just the CD limited. With a wider reach than any other to convince you,” and Robert Matthew-Walker at UK large ensemble, the RPO has truly become Christopher Gunning has composed twelve International Record Review said Gunning is “a Britain’s national orchestra. symphonies, as well as concertos for the piano, genuine composer” and continues, “Gunning’s Throughout the regional programme, plus regular violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and serious works are written in a musical language performances at Cadogan Hall, Southbank guitar; many of these have now been recorded. that is not immediately ‘populist’ in the manner Centre’s Royal Festival Hall and a hugely popular He has also composed many scores for films of Malcolm Arnold or Rod McKuen but which series at the Royal Albert Hall, and international and television dramas, including Agatha Christie’s naturally inhabits a mode of expression that one touring engagements, the RPO remains Poirot, La Vie en Rose, Middlemarch, Cold Lazarus, would expect from a pupil of Edmund Rubbra committed to working with the finest conductors. Rebecca, Under Suspicion, Firelight, The Big and Richard Rodney Bennett – we are talking In July 2018, the RPO announced Vasily Petrenko Battalions, Wild Africa, When the Whales Came ‘serious music’. Gunning’s serious music deserves as the Orchestra’s new Music Director, assuming and Porterhouse Blue. With a career spanning study – of that I am convinced – and I strongly the title of Music Director Designate in August 50 years, he has won 4 BAFTA and 3 Ivor urge those to whom fashion in art means little 2020 prior to commencing the full role in Novello Awards, and BASCA’s prestigious Gold when compared to what is being conveyed by the August 2021. He joins the RPO’s roster of titled Badge Award. creator, to investigate this disc”. conductors, which includes Pinchas Zukerman christopher-gunning.co.uk (Principal Guest Conductor), Alexander Shelley Christopher studied composition with Edmund works for violin and cello. Harriet Mackenzie’s (Principal Associate Conductor) and Grzegorz Rubbra and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett at the expressive playing makes Gunning’s sinuous ROYAL PHILHARMONIC Nowak (Permanent Associate Conductor). Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After a solo line sing like a bird in his unashamedly ORCHESTRA hugely successful career writing for the big lyrical celebration of the landscape in the In 2018, RPO Resound, the Orchestra’s and small screen he is now focussed on his Brecon Beacons. It’s instantly accessible, For more than seven decades the Royal community and education programme, celebrated classical work and releases. warmly melodic yet never trite or cloying (the Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been at the its twenty-fifth anniversary. Throughout its history first movement is a gem, built around a single forefront of music-making in the UK. Its home it has thrived on taking music into the heart of Stephen Pritchard, reviewing a disc of his violin chord). The cello concerto is grittier, exploring base since 2004 at London’s Cadogan Hall the regions that the Orchestra serves, working and cello concerti says “You could never accuse dark themes of ageing and loss”. serves as a springboard for seven principal with a variety of participants in a range of Christopher Gunning of low output: twelve residencies as well as more than forty-five settings including working with young people, symphonies, chamber music, award-winning Ivan March, reviewing the Symphony No 5 disc concerts per year in long-term partnership the homeless and recovering stroke patients. film and TV scores and concerti for piano, flute, for Gramophone made it his ‘Choice’ saying “If you venues across the country, often in areas Although the RPO embraces twenty-first-century oboe, clarinet and saxophone, now joined by want reassurance that the current post-atonal where access to live orchestral music is very opportunities, including appearances with pop

- 4 - - 5 - Symphony No. 5 recorded in Air Lyndhurst Studios, London from 28th to 29th May 2011 Producers – Christopher Gunning, Christopher Dibble & Gavin Greenaway Recording Engineer – Christopher Dibble Recording Assistant – Chris Barrett

String Quartet No. 1 recorded in Cream Studios, London fron 19th to 20th January 2008 Producers – Christopher Gunning & Christopher Dibble Recording Engineer – Christopher Dibble

Cover Image – © iStock

© Chris Christodoulou Design and Artwork – Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk stars and on video game, film and television P 2021 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd soundtracks, its artistic priority remains © 2021 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd paramount: the making of great music at the Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the infringer liable to an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored highest level for the widest possible audience. in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. As the RPO proudly looks to its future, its SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middlesex, UB6 7LQ, UK. versatility and high standards mark it out as one +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] of today’s most open-minded, forward-thinking www.signumrecords.com symphony orchestras. For more information, please visit rpo.co.uk

- 6 - - 7 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Christopher Gunning Gunning: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7, Night Voyage Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto, Bird Flight Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Harriet Mackenzie violin, Richard Harwood cello Christopher Gunning conductor Royal Philharmonic Orchestra SIGCD655 Christopher Gunning conductor SIGCD621 “Gunning’s style of expression is direct. He does not hide what he has to say behind avant-garde or other opaque “Harriet Mackenzie’s expressive playing makes Gunning’s barriers. The music is dramatic and full of inventively sinuous solo line sing like a bird in his unashamedly lyrical communicated incident.” Musicweb International celebration of the landscape in the Brecon Beacons. It’s instantly accessible, warmly melodic yet never trite or cloying.” Stephen Pritchard

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000

- 20 - CTP Template: CD_INL1 COLOURS Compact Disc Back Inlay CYAN Customer SignumClassics MAGENTA YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD676 BLACK Job Title: Gunning

SIGNUM CLASSICS

SIGCD676 SYMPHONY No. 5

STRING QUARTET NO. 1 CHRISTOPHER GUNNING GUNNING: SYMPHONY NO. 5, STRING QUARTET

Symphony No. 5 1 I. [13.00] 2 II. [10.29] 3 III. [11.08] RPO / GUNNING / RPO 4 IV. [17.03]

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CHRISTOPHER GUNNING CONDUCTOR

String Quartet No. 1 5 I. Passacaglia [5.36] 6 II. Scherzo fugato [6.11] 7 III. Nocturne [4.40] 8 IV. Rondo Ostinato [7.49]

Total Timings [75.56] RPO / GUNNING THE JUNO QUARTET Jacqueline Shave, Magnus Johnston violins Claire Finnemore viola Caroline Dearnely cello GUNNING: SYMPHONY NO. 5, STRING QUARTET

LC15723

Signum Records Ltd, Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, SIGCD676