Our knowledge of Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji is based more on his reputation than on his work. A marginal figure in twentieth-century music, he is renowned for the length and complexity of his compositions. After forbidding the performance of his music, he earned a small income through his writings as a critic and essayist of great wit. His best-known works are for solo piano, many of which have been released by BIS. This album presents first recordings of his music for chamber ensemble and chamber orchestra, plus several world première recordings of art songs, including a new arrangement and the first completion of a fragment.
The American collective Wild Beautiful Orchestra, made up of instrumentalists and singers renowned for their versatility and enthusiasm, and its founder, conductor Chappell Kingsland, together with flautist Sharon Bezaly in the longest work, present this program featuring previously unreleased music by the maverick composer. There is no doubt that this extraordinary variety will expand our collective appreciation of Sorabji’s genius, and that this album will serve as an entry point to his unique musical imagination.
