This is the second Toccata Classics recording of music by Philip Spratley, born in Nottinghamshire in 1942.
Steve Schwartz, reviewing the first disc for Classical Net, wrote that ‘Spratley is a wonder. Each piece is beautifully worked and a delight to ear and spirit, […] light in texture, modest in scope, but emotionally penetrating and mentally stimulating. […] This CD made me light up.’ And on Classical Source Colin Anderson reported that ‘there is most certainly beauty, vitality and wit in abundance’.
The new disc opens with the atmospheric orchestral suite Cargoes, inspired by John Masefield’s famous poem, and continues with a sparkling folksong medley based on fiddle tunes by another poet, John Clare. The main work here, Spratley’s 40-minute Third Symphony, which had its initial impulses in visits to North Wales and Jerusalem, traces a path from tension to triumph.
Cargoes, of which this recording was also the first performance, is dedicated to Dmitry Vasiliev and his orchestra in gratitude.
This is the second release to emerge from the association of Toccata Classics and Dmitry Vasiliev and the Siberian Symphony Orchestra in Omsk; the first was a well-received account of Vissarion Shebalin’s first two orchestral suites (No. 3 is already in the can) and a first recording of Miecsyslaw Weinberg last completed symphony, No. 21, will follow shortly.

“Spratley’s powerful contribution was long overdue to be heard, and I hope that more is to follow.” MusicWeb International