Credits:

Gipps, Ruth (1921-1999)

Description:

This disc commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ruth Gipps, one of the most important female composers of 20th century England. The album features five chamber pieces inspired by her husband, clarinetist Robert Baker. All are world premiere recordings. A child prodigy in her early years, she studied composition, piano, and oboe at the Royal College of Music under Gordon Jacob (Malcolm Arnold also studied with Jacob) and Rafe Vaughan Williams. As a student, she not only performed Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2, but also became the first woman to perform the difficult Arthur Bliss Piano Concerto to great acclaim. However, she later gave up performing publicly due to a hand injury. Since then, she has worked as a conductor and composer without succumbing to the prejudice as a woman. The Kelpie of Corryvreckan," an early work based on a Scottish legend, is included on the album. The tragic tale is expressed with clarinet and piano. Rhapsody and Quintet are works from the time of her marriage to Baker. The Clarinet Sonata was also written with her husband Baker's performance in mind.At that time, he also learned to play the bass clarinet, and the "Prelude" seems to have been composed especially for this instrument. The "Prelude" seems to have been composed especially for this instrument. It is a very enjoyable piece with a familiar melody that develops into a dance-like piece. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Rhapsody in E flat, Op. 23
2.The Kelpie of Corrievreckan, Op. 5
3.Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet and String Trio, Op. 16~I. Allegro
4.Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet and String Trio, Op. 16~II. Adagio
5.Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet and String Trio, Op. 16~III. Energico
6.Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet and String Trio, Op. 16~IV. Finale. Allegro moderato
7.Prelude for Bass Clarinet, Op. 51
8.Sonata for Clarinet and Piano~I. Maestoso, Allegro ma non troppo
9.Sonata for Clarinet and Piano~II. Andante con moto
10.Sonata for Clarinet and Piano~III. Scherzando
11.Sonata for Clarinet and Piano~IV. Maestoso, Allegro molto