UPDATES

Bach Book
The first recording of Bax's arrangement of Bach's Fantasia in G (BWV 572) is due out on 31 August from Hyperion (CDA67767) played by Jonathan Plowright. It's part of 'A Bach Book for Harriet Cohen', which is receiving its first complete recording together with Bach transcriptions by other English composers and pianists, including Harriet Cohen herself. It also includes one by the Scotsman Ronald Stevenson, whose forthright views on his colleagues' arrangements are given in Calum MacDonald's comprehensive notes: 'What a lot of bunglers these English composers are in piano-writing, as evinced in this album, which was a good idea spoilt!'. The notes can be viewed on the Hyperion website (hyperion-records.co.uk), and you can also listen to short excerpts from each track. Thanks to Ian Maxwell for drawing attention to this release.

Classic FM

CD published by Naxos 30 March

Ashley Wass (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, James Judd