Nocturnes – 24 Nocturnes for Solo Guitar is the latest release from composer Nick Peros and features the World Premiere recording of 24 works for solo guitar performed by guitarist Michael Kolk. The expressive range of these 24 Nocturnes is varied and wide, ranging from the fiery passion of No. 1, or the storm of No. 11, to the lyrical sweetness of No. 8 and No. 23, and the sense of haunting, almost ominous mystery of No. 6. Varying and differing shades of nocturnal mystery are expressed in Nos. 3, 5, 7 & 9, with No. 7 coloured by the subtle tonal purity of string harmonics. No. 12 is characterized by a wistful melancholic beauty, with No. 13 being almost a conversation of modalities, while No. 14 and No. 18 unfold respectively as a passionate and subtle drama. Like No. 6, Nocturne No. 20 is very much a chordal piece but in this case all harmonies are heard over a constant pedal tone with the beginning of the work characterized by sweet chordal sonorities, which, as the piece progresses, move into more intense chromatic territory before closing on the original note. Nocturne No. 4 combines swirling passion with moments of peaceful repose, while other works in this set, such as No. 2, No. 15 and No. 16, are characterized by a unique, almost ineffable quality, with No. 16 evoking harp-like sonorities punctuated with wonderful splashes of harmonic colour, setting the stage perfectly for the peaceful beauty of No. 17. Nocturne No. 10 takes us on a suggestive, searching journey, with swells of passion along the way, while the melody of No. 19 leads through engaging harmonic changes. The mysterious beauty of No. 21 seems summed up in the evocative three-note phrase that precedes the da capo section and is heard again in the final coda, while No. 22 opens with a reflective tone that moves into a fiery and passionate middle section. This collection of Nocturnes concludes as the tender lullaby quality of No. 24 brings the set to a quiet, gentle close. Throughout all of these pieces, the rich sonorities of the guitar, with its wide tonal palette, beautifully evoke the broad range of nocturnal expression. This recording of Peros’ 24 Nocturnes for Solo Guitar, together with the publication of the complete score by publisher Les Productions d’OZ, helps to lay an important foundation for the guitar as an eminent instrument for the modern nocturne form.
Soliloquies features various works for solo instrument, including five ”Poemes for Solo Piano"; "Eden", for solo flute; "Suite No. 1 for Solo Cello". The five “Poemes" represent a wide range of moods and sensibilities - Poeme No. 1 is a moving, beautiful work with unexpected harmonic turns and subtle melodic twists; Poeme No. 2 is a joyful, playful two-part invention, filled with vigour and vitality, in contrast to Poeme No. 3, which is a deeply and hauntingly expressive piece; Poeme No. 6 is a fiery, passionate and demanding piece, while Poeme No. 8 is a tender, gentle work of melodic beauty. "Eden", for solo flute, is a powerful and evocative work that takes a single melodic line and raises it to a passionate and stunning climax before bringing it down to a reflective close; the five movement "Suite No. 1 for Solo Cello" is powerfully expressive, with Movement I evoking a sense of noble mystery, calling for numerous quadruple stops on the cello, while Movement II is energetic, playful and joyful, a reflection of the joy of childhood; Movement III is quiet and reflective, characterized by an expressive and lyrical melodic line; Movement IV exudes a hesitant yet pregnant energy, while the final Movement V is an exuberant, soaring and joyful movement that requires a great technical mastery for performance.
Motets is the debut CD from composer Nick Peros and features 20 a cappella choral works composed by Nick and performed by The Renaissance Singers, conducted by Richard Cunningham. The Motets are deeply expressive works-- skilfully crafted, beautiful, powerful and passionate. Flowing melodies and rich and innovative harmonies are presented across a wide variety of musical textures - some pieces are very polyphonic (“Love & Faithfulness”, “Shout for Joy”), some are very chordal (“All Glorious is the Princess”), others are both (“O God You Are My God”). The pieces themselves range from 2 part, 4 part and 5 part textures.
Songs features a collection of 31 original songs written for solo voice & piano. Performed by soprano Heidi Klann and pianist Alayne Hall, Songs features Peros' setting of the poetry of William Blake, Emily Bronte, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth, James Joyce and others, set to music which is beautiful, passionate and evocative. Songs covers a great artistic and emotional range, with pieces such as Wordsworth's ”She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways", a heart-rending song of lost love, as is Robert Louis Stevenson's "She Rested By The Broken Brook"; Housman's "Eight O'Clock", a powerful song about one man's last moments on the gallows; "Her Strong Enchantments Failing", an almost mini opera of passion & intrigue featuring a stirring piano performance. Over half of the pieces on Songs feature the poetry of Emily Bronte and in many cases is the first time that Bronte's poems have been set to music.
Nick Peros – Vol. 2 – Instrumental Lullabies
Beautiful Instrumental Lullabies for solo piano by composer Nick Peros.
Nick Peros - Lullabies
Beautiful Lullabies with text & music by composer Nick Peros, and features original arrangements of classic traditional lullabies.