‘Anderson is a composer of ringing, bell-like harmonies and subtly shifting orchestral colour. There's a naive glow about his music, a pearly new-dawn iridescence, as if the world has returned to a state of primal innocence’. The Telegraph, March 2015
This recording features one of today's most sought-after conductors, Vladimir Jurowski, who was appointed Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007, with many of his recordings on the LPO Label being chosen for special mentions by BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone Magazine.
This recording of In lieblicher Bläue is taken from its world premiere performance at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on 14 March 2015. The recordings of Alleluia and The Stations of the Sun are also taken from live concert recordings at the Royal Festival Hall in March 2014 and December 2013 respectively.
As Composer in Residence from 2010–14, Julian Anderson has a close affinity with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and this CD is a celebration of his time at the LPO. This is Julian's second release on the LPO label, featuring premiere recordings of Alleluia and In lieblicher Bläue.
Two of the three pieces on this CD were composed specially for these musicians: Alleluia for the London Philharmonic Choir, the LPO and Vladimir Jurowski to perform at the re-opening concert of the Royal Festival Hall in June 2007, and In lieblicher Bläue for Carolin Widmann, one of the leading violinists of her generation.
“the highlight is In Lieblicher Bläue, captured at its premiere last year, a violin concerto in all but name…Anderson uses a brilliant orchestral palette to create sonorities that dazzle, suggesting intense colour and almost blinding sunlight. Above and through all this, Carolin Widmann's violin soars serenely.” The Guardian
“The writing is characteristic in its insistent mix of glitter and grit, new (American) colours added to an eclectic pick of the 20th-century bran tub…if Vladimir Jurowski's punchy performances were indeed captured live with only minimal patching, they are all three remarkably accomplished” (Gramophone)
“Carolin Widman is superb as the often diaphanous, yet frequently impulsive soloist negotiating an uneasy relationship with the orchestra in this recording of the world premiere. Vladimir Jurowski ensures everything is deftly paced in all three pieces, while the LPO's joyous commitment to new music shines through” BBC Music Five Stars
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2017 – Premiere Winner