A Celebration of Paul Reade

£8.00£14.00

Composer Paul Reade died 25 years ago and this year marks his 80th birthday. He was well-known for his music for television such as Play School, Antiques Road Show and The Victorian Kitchen Garden series but less familiar are the wonderful works on this beautifully compiled album.

The evocative Flute Concerto and a new version of Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite arranged for flute are played by Philippa Davies with the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Robin O‘Neill. Decca artist Pumeza Matshikiza is the soloist in the orchestral song cycle Chants du Roussillon and the Song of the Birds. Laurence Perkins is the bassoonist in the last piece Paul ever wrote, Catalonia, a one movement bassoon concerto. Also included is the Serenata for wind sextet played by London Winds. Except for the Chants du Roussillon, these are all world premiere recordings.

★★★★★ “This celebration is long overdue…utterly gorgeous” – BBC Music Magazine

“This souvenir of the Liverpudlian composer Paul Reade represents one of a generation after generation of melody-smiths… The disc spreads before us leading examples of his kindly lyricism. It’s music that is easily assimilated and easily enjoyed…Very engaging sound distinguishes this recording, as is the case throughout the CD” – Musicweb International

SKU: SIGCD758

Philippa Davies flute

Pumeza Matshikiza soprano

Laurence Perkins bassoon

London Winds

English Chamber Orchestra

Robin O’Neill conductor


Release Date: 17/03/2023 Digital, 18/08/2023 Physical CD
Catalogue Number: SIGCD758
Barcode: 635212075821

Suite from The Victorian Kitchen Garden for solo flute, harp and strings
(adapted by Jan Willem Nelleke)
Philippa Davies – flute, Helen Tunstall –  harp, English Chamber Orchestra, Robin O’Neill – conductor

[1] – Prelude: Andante pastorale
[2] – Spring: Allegretto
[3] – Mists: Lento melancolico
[4] – Exotica: Allegro ritmico
[5] – Summer: Flowing 

Chants du Rousillon, 5 Catalan folksongs arranged by Paul Reade for soprano and orchestra
Pumeza Matshikiza – soprano, English Chamber Orchestra, Robin O’Neill – conductor

[6] – Are vé lo mes de maig
[7] –  De matinet me vaig llevar
[8] – Tot anit som caminat
[9] – El pare m’ha casada
[10] – Rossinyol, que vas en França

[11] El cant dels ocells (Song of the Birds)
Pumeza Matshikiza – soprano, English Chamber Orchestra, Robin O’Neill – conductor

[12] Catalonia for bassoon and orchestra
(orchestrated by Tim Gibson)
Laurence Perkins – bassoon, English Chamber Orchestra, Robin O’Neill – conductor

Serenata for wind sextet
Peter Sparks and Katie Lockhart – clarinet, Robin O’ Neill and Laurence Perkins – bassoon, Richard Watkins and Alexei Watkins – horn

[13] – Slow – Allegretto pastorale
[14] – Moderato
[15] – Allegro

Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra
Philippa Davies – flute, English Chamber Orchestra, Robin O’Neill – conductor

[16] – Andante lirico
[17] – Nocturne
[18] – Allegro con spirito

Go to Top