Christopher Guild - Johnson: 12 Preludes & Fugues (2024) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Dr David Charles Johnson (27 October 1942 in Edinburgh – 30 March 2009 in Edinburgh) was a Scottish composer and a scholar of 18th-century Scottish music. Johnson was “an internationally recognised scholar” whose work significantly contributed to rediscovering and redefining 18th-century Scottish music within its historical context. His research focused on the music and social life of lowland Scotland during the 18th century, exploring influences, tastes, and key musical figures of the era.

Johnson’s 12 Preludes and Fugues are among the few significant pieces he composed for the piano, alongside a five-minute Sonata. Written in the early-mid 1990s and published in 1995, these compositions are notable for their unique blend of sound, reminiscent of 20th-century composers like Hindemith or Prokofiev, while incorporating elements such as quotations from Bach and references to Hugh MacDiarmid’s work. They also feature direct quotations of popular tunes like ‘Johnny Cope’ and ‘The Animals Went Marching Two by Two’, infused with a distinct Scottish flavour. The thematic backbone of the suite is borrowed from Aberdonian composer Shaun Dillon, using the Scots-Gaelic word bheatha, ‘life’, represented musically by the notes B-flat, B, E, A. Johnson masterfully employs this motif to form a tone row, guiding the keys across the 12 works in the suite, making his Preludes and Fugues a unique and distinguished addition to Scottish piano music.

Christopher Guild is making waves on the international music scene for his exceptional work with British, particularly Scottish, piano music. He has recorded numerous albums for esteemed labels such as Toccata Classics, Piano Classics, and Champs Hill Records, featuring works by renowned composers like Ronald Stevenson, Francis George Scott, and Bernard van Dieren. His upcoming recording for Divine Art marks another milestone in his career, further solidifying his reputation as a prominent interpreter of British piano repertoire.

Tracklist:
01. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 1 in B-Flat Major
02. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 1 in B-Flat Major
03. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 2 in B Major
04. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 2 in B Major
05. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 3 in E Major
06. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 3 in E Major
07. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 4 in A Major
08. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 4 in A Major
09. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 5 in F-Sharp Major
10. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 5 in F-Sharp Major
11. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 6 in G Major
12. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 6 in G Major
13. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 7 in C Major
14. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 7 in C Major
15. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 8 in F Major
16. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 8 in F Major
17. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 9 in D Major
18. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 9 in D Major
19. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 10 in E-Flat Major
20. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 10 in E-Flat Major
21. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 11 in G-Sharp Major
22. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 11 in G-Sharp Major
23. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Prelude No. 12 in D-Flat Major
24. 12 Preludes & Fugues: Fugue No. 12 in D-Flat Major


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