ROY HEATON SMITH (1928-2014): 3 Bagatelles for Recorder/Flute, Viola and Clarinet, Op. 46, A Suite of Variations for Viola and Piano, Op. 37, Pastoral for Medium Voice and Piano, Introduction and Variations for Violin and Piano, Op. 24, 3 Chansons Romantiques for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano, Op. 22, Passacaglia for String Quartet, Op. 18b, String Quartet, Op. 34, Sonatina alla Fantasia for Recorder and Piano, Op. 23, Sonatina for Piano, Op. 19, A Vision of the Future for Medium Voice and Piano, 4 Folksong Arrangements Medium Voice and Piano, Op. 2, Divertimento for Clarinet and String Orchestra (Stephen Waters [clarinet], BBC Northern Orchestra; Stanford Robinson. rec. 1958)

Description: A lifelong resident and teacher in the Manchester area, Smith wrote most of the pieces recorded here last year during the decade 1948-58. Firmly in the conservative English tradition (except for the piano Sonatina which admits some French and jazz elements), these short pieces contain instantly memorable melodies that will have you immediately listening to them again - the theme of the Op. 37 for example, or the compelling theme of the Passacaglia or the way the recorder can be both icy and summery in the seasons-evoking Pastoral. There’s much here to interest any musical Anglophile. And the number of well-known artists and composers in the list of subscribers to this recording printed on the last page of the booklet shows how highly thought of Smith was. 2 CDs. Texts included. Clare Wilkinson (mezzo), Linda Merrick (clarinet), John Turner (recorder), Benedict Holland (violin), Alistair Vennart (viola), Harvey Davies, Ewa Tytman (piano), Solem String Quartet.