British violinist, soloist, chamber musician and orchestra director

Reviews

The novelties on this enjoyable anniversary disc are mostly transcriptions of existing works, though when they’re played as winningly as this, I doubt that many Arnold fans will object to a spot of duplication…Fisher and Fingerhut approach [the two violin sonatas] with lyricism and the vivid sense of character that they bring to everything on this disc. The Five Pieces…benefit from the pair’s playful, up-close approach…the less familiar pieces are beautifully delivered…the final ‘Madrigal’ is such a gorgeous little thing that I replayed it three times in row…
Gramophone - Recommended Recording

A delightful showcase of Malcolm Arnold’s many faces… the arrangements, many recorded for the first time, offer plenty to chew on and enjoy for both performer and listener. Fisher and Fingerhut play with poise and much warmth.
BBC Music

A romp through the wit and wildness of an uncommonly memorable creator…The whole recital is a delight and the performers have earned my gratitude.
Norman Lebrecht, Slipped Disc – Album of the Week

Violinist Peter Fisher plays with verve and commitment, while his partner Margaret Fingerhut rises to every challenge with crisp articulation and tonal richness.
International Piano

…fine album from SOMM…As well as some quite tricky pieces, there are delightful arrangements of popular stuff such as the Scottish Dances, and his music for film. … a real joy.
Mail on Sunday [5*]

All these performances are outstanding: the style impeccable: and a worthy tribute to the centenary.
Musical Opinion [5*]

All the music is splendidly played by violinist Peter Fisher and British music champion Margaret Fingerhut on piano. This is essential listening for all Malcolm Arnold enthusiasts. No more need be said.
MusicWeb International

The performances by Peter Fisher and Margaret Fingerhut, both long-time advocates of British music, could hardly be improved on for sensitivity and insight.
On Record, Arcana.fm

The performers perfectly capture Arnold’s rapid mood changes…musically conceived and beautifully recorded.
British Music Society Journal

Violinist Peter Fisher and pianist Margaret Fingerhut's centenary celebration of composer Malcolm Arnold has been a pleasing listening experience over the past couple of weeks... In this consistently excellent recording the brilliance of Arnold's writing is laid bare. Read More
Thoroughly Good

Peter Fisher, violin and Peter Hewitt, piano

Encore! Encore!

Salon music and short pieces by Fritz Kreisler, Alfredo d'Ambrosio and others, recorded to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kreisler's death.

Label: LITmus. You can buy this CD online here

Full Track Listings and sample MP3 clips

1. Kreisler: Praeludium and Allegro in the style of Pugnani
2. Kreisler: Preghiera in the style of Padre Martini
3. Kreisler: La Précieuse in the style of Louis Couperin
4. Mischa Elman: Canto Amoroso (Sammartini)
5. Kreisler: Tambourin Chinois
6. Kreisler: Caprice Viennois
7. Kreisler: Marche Miniature Viennoise
8. Edward Elgar: Salut d'Amour
9. Alfredo d'Ambrosio: Sonnet Allègre
10. d'Ambrosio: Canzonetta Op. 6
11: d'Ambrosio: Romance Op. 9
12: d'Ambrosio: Sérénade Op.4
13: Jenö Hubay: Hejre Kati
14: Jules Massenet: Meditation from Thaïs
       Kreisler: Three Old Viennese Dances:
15: Liebesfreud
16: Liebesleid
17: Schön Rosmarin
18: Kreisler: Londonderry Air
19: Vittorio Monti: Czardas


“I knew nothing about the Litmus label, nor about the performers, but I accepted this CD for review because I cannot resist 75 minutes of Viennese pastries and suchlike. I am glad I did. Peter Fisher is the real thing, a polished performer who loves what he is doing and who wants you to love it too. Some morning he might be standing in line behind you at the store, waiting to purchase a point of milk or a bottle of aspirin. You probably wouldn’t realise that a terrific violinist was right next to you, but I think the rest of your day would nevertheless be better because your personal space intersected his for at least a moment.
Peter Hewitt, the label’s star pianist, is a fine and sensitive accompanist, but this disc clearly belongs to Fisher, as it should.
The sound is really gorgeous. Both musicians have been captured realistically in a warm, lively acoustic and there is ample detail. I’d say this CD passes the litmus test!”
International Record Review, November 2012

The Chamber Ensemble of London, director and soloist Peter Fisher, violin

English Music For Strings - Purcell, Walton, Avison, et al

Music by: Charles Avison, Henry Purcell, Clive Jenkins, Paul Lewis, John Dankworth, 
Harold Edwin Darke, Nigel Brooks, Sir Edward Elgar, Frank Bridge,  Sir William Walton

Label: Campion Cameo Catalog #: 2045

Full Track Listings and sample MP3 clips

Charles Avison: Concerto in A op9 no 11
1. Largo
2. Allegro
3. Adagio
4. Aria (vivace)

5. Henry Purcell: Chacony in G minor for Strings

Clive Jenkins: Pastorale and Allegro
6. Pastorale
7. Allegro

William Walton: Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V
8. Passacaglia - Death of Falstaff
9. Touch Her Soft Lips and Part

Paul Lewis
10. Rosa Mundi

John Dankworth
11: Mariposas

12: Harold Darke: Meditation on Brother James's Air

13: Nigel Brooks: To My Love (Adagio for Strings)

14: Edward Elgar: Salut d'Amour

15: Frank Bridge: A Christmas Dance (Sir Roger de Coverley)

 

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE OF LONDON, Director: Peter Fisher
Soloists: Peter Fisher and Maya Iwabuchi (violins) and Peter Adams (cello). 


OVER HILL, OVER DALE


Over Hill, Over Dale, CEOL's new CD, officially goes on sale at the English Music Festival on 24th June.

The CD is dedicated to Frances Andrade (1948-2013), a much-loved member of the Ensemble greatly missed.

HENRY PURCELL (1698-1695)
OVERTURE AND RONDEAU FROM ‘ABDELAZER’ (1695)
1. Overture
2. Rondeau

HAROLD DARKE (1888-1976)
3. FANTASY IN E MAJOR FOR STRING ORCHESTRA, op.39 (1930) Orchestration by Clive Jenkins
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING

JOHN IRELAND (1879-1962)
4. THE HOLY BOY Arrangement for cello and strings by Christopher Palmer. Cello soloist: Peter Adams

GILES FARNABY (c.1653-1640)
SEVEN PIECES FOR STRING ORCHESTRA Arrangement by Sir Granville Bantock
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
5. (i) A Toye
6. (ii) Giles Farnaby’s Dreame
7. (iii) Giles Farnaby’s Conceit
8. (iv) His Rest
9. (v) His Humour
10. (vi) A Maske
11. (vii) Tower Hill

CLIVE JENKINS (*1938) SINFONIETTA FOR STRINGS (2007)
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
12. (i) Allegro non troppo
13. (ii) Moderato
14. (iii) Alla rustica
15. (iv) Allegro

SIR EDWARD ELGAR (1857-1934)
16. ELEGY FOR STRINGS, op.58 (1909)

SIR MALCOLM ARNOLD (1921-2004)
CONCERTO FOR TWO VIOLINS AND STRING ORCHESTRA, op.77 (1962)
Soloists: Peter Fisher, Maya Iwabuchi
17. (i) Allegro risoluto
18. (ii) Andantino
19. (iii) Vivace – presto

20. PETER FISHER (*1962)
VARIATIONS ON ‘WIDECOMBE FAIR’ IN THE STYLE OF PAGANINI (2000)
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
Soloist: Peter Fisher

British Serenade

HERITAGE RECORDS
HTGCD 204

Solos with String Orchestra
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE OF LONDON
directed from the violin by Peter Fisher
Michael Butten (solo guitar); Richard Waters (solo viola)
Chris Shrimpton (solo harmonica); Michael Mace (solo cello)
Peter Cigleris (solo clarinet); Peter Fisher (solo violin);

*WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Malcolm Arnold: Serenade for Guitar and Strings Op.50
Clive Jenkins: Romance for Viola and Strings *
Paul Lewis: On Pevensey Levels *
Edward Elgar arr. Levine Andrade: Salut d’Amour Op. 12 *
Paul Carr: Viola Air *
Malcolm Arnold arr. Roger Steptoe: Concertino for Clarinet and Strings Op.29a *
Clive Jenkins: Rhapsody for Harmonica *
Don Shearman: Winter Sunshine *
Clive Jenkins: Cologne *
Malcolm Arnold arr. Philip Lane: Five Pieces for Violin and Strings Op.84a *
Total time: 65.22

 

Majesty

Majesty - by Clive Jenkins, CEOL's latest recording, is now out from Heritage Records. It is available as a download from Amazon and iTunes.

Clive wrote the piece for a CEOL concert at the V & A to go with an exhibition of photographs of the royal family. Since then, it has been played as the Queen herself led members of the royal family and Knights of the Garter into the Waterloo Chamber at a function in Windsor Castle. 

 

Set in Silver

NEW RELEASE FROM EM RECORDS

This double CD was launched at the English Music Festival on 25th May.
EMRCD032 is a reprint of CEOL's 2006 disc 'English Music for Strings'.
EMRCD033 is all new. Premiere recordings are marked with an asterisk.

Recorded: Coombehurst Studio, Kingston University, 10th and 11th January, 2015
Producer/engineer: Michael Ponder
Editor: Richard Scott.

EMRCD 032

Charles Avison: Concerto in A Op.9 No.11 - ed. Michael Bowie Solo violins: Peter Fisher, Judith Kelly; solo cello: Peter Adams
1. Largo
2. Allegro
3. Adagio
4. Aria (vivace)

5. Henry Purcell: Chacony in G minor for strings – ed. Benjamin Britten

Clive Jenkins: Pastorale & Allegro – solo violin: Peter Fisher
6. Pastorale
7. Allegro

William Walton: Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V
8. Passacaglia: Death of Falstaff
9. Touch Her Soft Lips and Part
10. Paul Lewis: Rosa Mundi
11. John Dankworth: Mariposas
12. Harold Darke: Meditation on Brother James’s Air
13. Nigel Brooks: To My Love (Adagio for Strings)
14. Edward Elgar: Salut d’Amour – arr. Bill Thorp
15. Frank Bridge: A Christmas Dance (Sir Roger de Coverley)