Bebbington's "The Piano Music of Vaughan Williams", with Rebeca Omordia and Somm Recordings, has spent seven weeks in the charts, reached number three, and notched up a second "Recording of the Month" in a row for the English pianist
Since
Vaughan Williams fans tend to be passionate about the English composer's music to the point of devotion, there will have been many glasses raised to the extraordinary sales success of Mark Bebbington's newest album, "The Piano Music of Ralph
Vaughan Williams". Released by Somm Recordings and also featuring fellow pianist Rebeca Omordia, the album has so far featured in the UK Specialist Classical Charts for an astonishing seven weeks, reaching as high as number three.
For a release that might be regarded as niche -
Vaughan Williams is not best-known for his piano music, which has tended to be overlooked - this is a remarkable success. Reviewers have also welcomed the release. Writes Andrew Achenbach in
Gramophone, "(Amazingly the first CD recording of
Introduction and Fugue)...and a superb one it is too, Mark Bebbington and Rebeca Omordia finding an unremitting logic, sweep and concentration that thrill to the marrow...as for the solo items, Bebbington gives ideally lofty and serene renderings...Bebbington's disarmingly deft touch likewise works wonders in the two sets of teaching pieces that close proceedings..."
Similarly
Music Web International, which named the album its "Recording Of The Month", noted that Bebbington's and Omordia's "deft and dedicated reading shows (
Introduction and Fugue) off in all its glory." The
Guardian called it "enjoyable,
Classical Ear "essential",
The Arts Desk "A winner!". The album has also had success in the wide-ranging Classic FM Chart.
"I am thrilled with the success of this recording." says Bebbington, "I believe that there is something in the spiritual dimension at the heart of
Vaughan Williams's piano music that is now capturing a wider listening public."
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Mark Bebbington will be flying the flag for English piano music in high-profile concerts over the coming months, playing
John Ireland's Piano Concerto with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in May, and the same work on a tour of Israel with the Israel Camerata in June. Before that, closer to home, he will be playing more staple fare, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in their residency at the Brighton Dome, under conductor Joshua Weilerstein.
Mark Bebbington has made more than 30 recordings for Somm, many of English piano music. His previous recording for Somm featured the music of
George Gershwin, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Listen to Mark Bebbington play
The Lake In The Mountains from the new recording.
