THE KING’S ALCHEMIST Eblana String Trio
New on Willowhayne Records is ‘The King’s Alchemist – British String Trios’ performed by the Eblana String Trio comprising Lucy Nolan on viola, Jonathan Martindale on violin, and Peggy Nolan on cello. First is Finzi’s ‘Prelude and Fugue’. The piece is gently contemporary, melodic and familiar, in debt as it is to Bach (though to this listener hinting towards Handel). The strings are soulful, yearning, plaintive. ‘Prelude’ is led by a repetitive melancholic air which near close takes on slightly more force. ‘Fugue’ offers deeper tones sensitively related by the performers. The high sweep of the violin echoes what it is underpinned by. The aspect of forcefulness mounts in a masterfully restrained execution, maintaining resonance and balance. Second is a world premiere recording of Hugh Wood’s ‘Ithaka.’ Eblana’s almost-breathy playing complements aspects of airiness, to further open a range of timbres. The explorative and engaging nature of the piece, if at phases lacking consistency, pre...