St Paul’s, Heaton Moor, Stockport 18/09/2021

Prima Facie Records were proud to celebrate 25 years of supporting British Classical composers and artists – and the 60th birthday of co-founder Stephen Plews – in a concert at St Paul’s Church, Heaton Moor, Stockport, on 18th September 2021. The concert was also dedicated to the memory of Christina Plews, Stephen’s mother, and Giles Easterbrook, the Prima Facie Records co-founder who died on September 1st 2021.
Performers
Performing at the concert were:
Victoria String Quartet
Alessandra Pompili (piano)
Simon Passmore (piano)
John Turner (recorders)
Gavin Barras / Stephen Plews (double bass / piano duo)
The Pleyel Ensemble.
Music
Amongst the pieces performed were:
Three Short Pieces for recorder and string quartet
Christina – Daryl Runswick (first performance – in memory of Christina Plews)
Mount Street Blues – David Ellis (in memory of John McCabe)
A Melody from Translation – Peter Dickinson (first performance – dedicated to Stephen Plews)
Performed by Victoria String Quartet and John Turner

Piano Pieces
Minuetto; Solemn Pavan – Thomas Pitfield
Greek Rhapsody No. 1 (First Movement) – Alan Hovhaness
Performed by Alessandra Pompili

Improvisations on Two Folk Songs
Performed by Stephen Plews and Gavin Barras

Three Divertimenti for string quartet
March; Waltz; Burlesque – Benjamin Britten
Performed by Victoria String Quartet
Sonata No. 2 for recorder and piano
Overture; Berceuse; Toccata – Fulvio Caldini (first performance)
Performed by John Turner and Harvey Davies

Prelude No 1 for piano
Raise up off me – Stephen Plews (dedicated to Hampton Hawes)
Performed by Simon Passmore

Piano Trio No. 1
Molto Moderato; Andante Pastorale; Allegro Moderato ma agitato – Thomas Pitfield
Performed by The Pleyel Ensemble
Thanks!
Stephen Plews and Prima Facie Records would like gratefully to thank the following:
John Turner for his sterling work in organising the concert, as well as for his splendid performances!
St Paul’s, Heaton Moor, for hosting us, and for all who assisted on the day with organisation, drinks, sausage rolls and brownies!
All the musicians and composers!
The audience, for some of whom it was the first concert following the pandemic, and whose warm reception made the afternoon such an affirming event!