This week, thanks to the generosity of Mary and David Bowerman, I have been making my debut solo CD recording at Champs Hill, to be released on the venue’s own record label early in 2013.
The CD consists of works written for me over the past few years by Stephen McNeff and includes A Voice of One Delight, the song cycle Madrigali dell’Estate and new folksongs in Abruzzo Italian dialect.
Members of the Orchestra Nova Ensemble (seen left with conductor George Vass and producer Michael Ponder) joined me on the first day to record Farfalle di Neve, for mezzo and string trio, and A Voice of One Delight in its original concert version for mezzo, flute, harp and viola.
In the recording booth, L to R: Paula Anglin (soprano, singing teacher and brilliant extra pair of ears, helping with points of vocal detail and styling), Michael Ponder (producer) and Stephen McNeff (composer).
The Champs Hill venue is a beautiful privately-owned concert hall in Sussex, which has recently established its own record label of recordings made in the space. Other artists who have recorded for the label include Dame Felicity Lott and Graham Johnson, Amanda Roocroft, the Gould Piano Trio, the London Conchord Ensemble and Ivana Gavric.
See here for the Champs Hill Records catalogue.