麻豆社

Hannah French presents the first of four Lunchtime Concerts recorded in May at LSO St Luke's, each shining a spotlight on world class wind and brass players. Today, the focus is on internationally renowned oboist Nicholas Daniel, with pianist Huw Watkins, whose concert takes us on a tour of the UK.

They begin their concert in the north of England with Alan Bush's Northumbrian Impressions, inspired by a chance encounter with the Duke of Northumberland's personal piper. Following that, we move to Ireland with Howard Ferguson's arrangement of Schumann's Three Canonic Studies, beautifully expressive works originally written for the pedal piano but work perfectly in this arrangement. Then we move across the Borders with Scottish composer - and oboist - Helen Grime, who wrote her Three Minatures to show off the instrument's huge variety of expression. Pianist and composer Huw Watkins wrote his version of some of his favourites from the wonderful repertoire of Welsh folksongs specifically for Nicholas Daniel, and together they play the premiere, before ending their recital with one of the most loved oboe sonatas in the repertory: Poulenc. It was dedicated to Prokofiev but actually became his own swansong written just six months before his own death.

ALAN BUSH
Northumbrian Impressions

SCHUMANN, arr. HOWARD FERGUSON
3 Canonic Studies

HELEN GRIME
Three Miniatures

HUW WATKINS
Five Welsh Folksongs

POULENC
Oboe Sonata

Nicholas Daniel (oboe)
Huw Watkins (piano)