Prima Facie Records

Concerto for trumpet and strings (PFCD249) £12.50/£17.50

Compositions by Ian Pillow
Featuring Joseph Skypala , Anna Gregg, Rosalie Curlett, Belfast Sinfonia, Icon Strings

Concerto for trumpet and strings
(3 Shades of blue)

1: Dark Blue 08’ 27
2: Light Blue 05’ 40
3: Sky Blue 06’ 46

3 Songs of Mary

4: Autumn (The Fall of the Year) 04’ 51
5: Love Song (My Mary) 04’ 51
6: Nocturne (To Mary) 05’ 36

7: Portraits for cello, strings & 3 horns 16’ 23

About this Album

A powerful and evocative new collection of works by Ian Pillow– a composer whose music speaks with quiet authority, lyrical depth, and a uniquely British sensibility. As a composer, Ian’s output includes vocal, choral, instrumental, and orchestral works. While he often composed for specific events or ensembles, his music has reached far beyond those initial settings. His works have been performed across the UK and internationally – from the United States and Canada to France, Spain and even Slough – each performance a testament to the emotional resonance and craftsmanship of his writing. When asked about the origins of this new collection, Ian remarked: “I still find this all a bit surreal – I’ve never really seen myself as a ‘real’ composer. So much of what I’ve written has been for a particular occasion or ensemble, and that’s naturally meant writing in a fairly conservative style, one that fits the moment and the audience. Having spent most of my life immersed in orchestras that played predominantly romantic repertoire – from Beethoven and Brahms to Mahler and Shostakovich – I suppose those influences are deeply woven into my musical language, whether I’m conscious of it or not.” Ian’s humility is characteristic of his personality – but make no mistake, he is very much a composer in the truest sense. This collection is a revelation: a body of large-scale, emotionally rich works that reflect a lifetime of musical experience, deep introspection, and a profound love of the art form. The music is exquisitely performed and recorded, and there’s an unmistakable thread of melancholia and lyricism running throughout. It’s deeply expressive, quietly powerful, and unmistakably British in tone – at times pastoral, at times stark, always honest. Ian uses dissonance in a a subtle way and is obviously influenced by Jazz, which results in a unique eclectic style. Listening to these pieces, I found myself profoundly moved. There’s a depth and sincerity in Ian’s writing that’s all too rare – music that doesn’t shout, but speaks directly to the heart. It reminded me of why we turn to music in the first place: for comfort, reflection, and connection. It’s an honour to release this work. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Steve Plews , Prima Facie Records

Credits

Joseph Skypala Trumpet (1-3)
Anna Gregg Soprano (4-6)
Rosalie Curlett Cello (7)
Belfast Sinfonia (1-3, 7)
Conductor: Ian Pillow
Icon Strings (4-6):
Jenny Sacha, Elise Harper violins; Nathalie Green-Buckley Pacey, viola; Kirsten Jenson cello.

Recorded at Townsend Street Church, Belfast (1-3,7) 26.8.24 and St Margaret’s Church, Putney (4-6) 22.8.24
Mastered by Ian Shepherd @Mastering Media Ltd.
Richard Campbell, recording engineer (Belfast); Christopher Gough, producer (Belfast).
Jan Capìński, recording engineer and producer (Putney).
Artwork by James Clancy-Galasiu.

You can read the sleevenotes from this album on the Prima Facie blog, Recitative

Ian Pillow has spent most of his life as a viola player in major symphony orchestras; in London, Liverpool and especially Bournemouth where he also presented pre-concert lectures and conducted community projects. He also wrote the humorous 'Pillow Talk' column for Classic FM magazine, and features for national newspapers. His compositions include vocal, choral, instrumental and orchestral works and have been performed in many countries, including the USA, Canada, France, Spain, Hungary and Slough.