Chris Davies is following the musical ethos of Tredegar Band with the launch of his new solo CD entitled — 'Music for Tenor Horn: Recital'.
The Welsh ensemble has gained a renowned reputation for seeking new musical challenges, and that has certainly been a driving force for a release that their solo horn player believes further explores the flexibility of the instrument, both through its own repertoire and that inspired by other artistic sources.
Valuable addition
Tredegar has provided the accompaniment for what MD Ian Porthouse says is a valuable addition to the tenor horn recorded repertoire.
"There isn't a huge treasure trove waiting to be recorded, so I believe this is such a valuable addition,"he said.
"Chris has taken the lead given by his mentor Owen Farr and sought works that push boundaries but also enhances the instrument's versatility as a solo voice."
He added: "This is a tremendous new release. Chris is a superb player — a rare blend of incredible technique and beautiful sound that we don't hear enough these days, so I'm sure it will gain critical as well as popular acclaim."
Centre piece
The centre piece is a recording of Gareth Wood's rarely heard 'Concerto for Tenor Horn', originally written for Owen Farr, whilst John Golland's 'Meiso' is another unearthed gem, with Chris teaming up in the duet alongside Tredegar's solo baritone player Ben Stratford.
Meanwhile, Howard Snell's take on Ravel's 'Pavane' and Michael Hopkinson's fiendish arrangement of the finale from Mendelssohn's 'Violin Concerto', are some of Chris Davies' own — as is the fourth movement of Mahler's 'Second Symphony' and Richard Strauss' 'Horn Concerto No. 1'.
Chris has taken the lead given by his mentor Owen Farr and sought works that push boundaries but also enhances the instrument's versatility as a solo voiceTredegar MD, Ian Porthouse
Thanks
Chris told 4BR: "My thanks go to Ian, Tredegar and of course to Paul Hindmarsh and Richard Scott who so expertly produced and recorded the CD. I hope people will enjoy the CD and see it as a step to broadening the repertoire and scope of the tenor horn."
To purchase
Music for Tenor Horn: Recital is now available priced at £9.95 plus postage and package through the 4BR Shop at:
https://4barsrest.shop/product/recital-music-for-tenor-horn/
It is also on Spotify and Amazon Music.
