This is Oliver Davis’ first album dedicated to the piano, and specifically two pianists, Dutch piano duo Beth & Flo. The album features this dynamic duo playing four hands piano and also on two pianos with full orchestra. The song cycle ‘Siren Songs’ features sopranos Grace Davidson, Julia Doyle and Grace’s son chorister Joshua Davidson. The theme of the album is water, in its many forms with songs depicting a river journey, Sea Dances for four hands and strings, Sea Waltzes in addition to the Water Variations. The opening piece, The Water Garden, will be one of three singles being released prior to the album’s launch. The pianists and singers are accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Bateman.
“[The] material nestles comfortably in the contemporary classical genre whilst avoiding the usual tediously contrived sentimentality some other composers rely upon…The opening track – Sea Dances for 4 Hands and Strings – quickly secured earworm status soon after I first heard the album” – Thoroughly Good Blog