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Winter / Ficino Ensemble
On their debut album, released on the Ergodos label, Ficino Ensemble present three works spanning over 120 years – from Johannes Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet (1891); to Maurice Ravel’s virtuosic Introduction and Allegro (1905); to the title track, Winter, by Irish composer Garrett Sholdice, composed especially for them in 2018. “The Ficino Ensemble has established itself as on Ireland’s leading chamber groups. Its intelligently programmed, superbly played debut recording illustrates why.” — Michael Quinn, Classical Ear “…an impressive benchmark in Irish chamber music…” – Michael Lee, Goldenplec |
Praise for Winter
“The Ficino Ensemble has established itself as one of Ireland’s leading chamber groups. Its intelligently programmed, superbly played debut recording illustrates why.” — Michael Quinn, Classical Ear
“Rarely have I heard such a beautiful recording of this great masterpiece [by Brahms.] […] As a programme of music it’s perfect in every way.” — Bernard Clarke, RTÉ lyric fm
“…Ergodos’ latest release, featuring the Ficino Ensemble and a new work by Garrett Sholdice, brings the unexpected.” – The Journal of Music
“Throughout, the expressive feeling for ensemble is aided by both the well-balanced recording achieved by Ergodos and the keen acoustic of the Freemason’s Hall. This engaging recording marks an impressive benchmark in Irish chamber music, and will hopefully encourage more to follow.” – Michael Lee, Goldenplec
“The Ficino Ensemble has established itself as one of Ireland’s leading chamber groups. Its intelligently programmed, superbly played debut recording illustrates why.” — Michael Quinn, Classical Ear
“Rarely have I heard such a beautiful recording of this great masterpiece [by Brahms.] […] As a programme of music it’s perfect in every way.” — Bernard Clarke, RTÉ lyric fm
“…Ergodos’ latest release, featuring the Ficino Ensemble and a new work by Garrett Sholdice, brings the unexpected.” – The Journal of Music
“Throughout, the expressive feeling for ensemble is aided by both the well-balanced recording achieved by Ergodos and the keen acoustic of the Freemason’s Hall. This engaging recording marks an impressive benchmark in Irish chamber music, and will hopefully encourage more to follow.” – Michael Lee, Goldenplec
About Winter
Winter is the debut release from Ficino Ensemble, a group of flexible size specialising in the rich repertoire of classical chamber music – a tradition of intimacy, introspection, poise and exchange to which they bring such insight in performance.
Here, they present three works spanning over 120 years – from Johannes Brahms’ august Clarinet Quintet of 1891; to Maurice Ravel’s virtuosic Introduction and Allegro (1905); to the title track, Winter, by Irish composer Garrett Sholdice, composed especially for this project in 2018.
Composed only six years before his death, in some respects Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet looks back to the elegant designs of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. Yet in its deliberate patterns of speech, and, moreover, in its richly dark hues, the music is deeply personal – each movement the revelation of a secret.
Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet, is brighter – evoking, perhaps, the particular radiance of sunshine on a December morning. The music seems to delight in a very pure kind of creative freedom, its shapes shifting and re-forming like quicksilver.
In Winter, for harp, clarinet and string trio, Garrett Sholdice provides a fulcrum about which the Brahms and Ravel may balance each other. This is a work entirely concerned with re-colourings and shadings of musical material. At its core, it is a ritual that simultaneously moves and stays still. Watch Laura Sheeran’s beautifully meditative music video for Sholdice’s Winter above.
Winter is the debut release from Ficino Ensemble, a group of flexible size specialising in the rich repertoire of classical chamber music – a tradition of intimacy, introspection, poise and exchange to which they bring such insight in performance.
Here, they present three works spanning over 120 years – from Johannes Brahms’ august Clarinet Quintet of 1891; to Maurice Ravel’s virtuosic Introduction and Allegro (1905); to the title track, Winter, by Irish composer Garrett Sholdice, composed especially for this project in 2018.
Composed only six years before his death, in some respects Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet looks back to the elegant designs of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. Yet in its deliberate patterns of speech, and, moreover, in its richly dark hues, the music is deeply personal – each movement the revelation of a secret.
Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet, is brighter – evoking, perhaps, the particular radiance of sunshine on a December morning. The music seems to delight in a very pure kind of creative freedom, its shapes shifting and re-forming like quicksilver.
In Winter, for harp, clarinet and string trio, Garrett Sholdice provides a fulcrum about which the Brahms and Ravel may balance each other. This is a work entirely concerned with re-colourings and shadings of musical material. At its core, it is a ritual that simultaneously moves and stays still. Watch Laura Sheeran’s beautifully meditative music video for Sholdice’s Winter above.