Portrait / Various

ANTONY HOPKINS - A PORTRAIT ARTISTS include: Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano), James Gilchrist (tenor), John Turner (recorder), Paul Barritt (violin), Matthew Jones (viola), Philip Fowke (piano), Michael Hampton (piano), Janet Simpson (piano), Antony Hopkins (speaker/piano); Jeremy Brett, Stephanie Voss, Phillada Sewell, Elizabeth Boyd, Stephen Manton, Eric Shilling Antony Hopkins is a phenomenon - a fact which escapes much of the public and even press who still confuse him with the actor (Anthony). Composer, pianist, conductor, broadcaster, lecturer, author ... a true man of music. A livewire at the age of 91, (as we write in May 2012), his genius has suffered from fickle fashion, his 'serious' music being lyrical and tuneful though certainly deep and complex; his lighter music now seen as 'period' - and just ripe for redicovery. This double album contains much fine music including eight pieces written by top British composers as tributes to Antony. For all interested in the evolution of 20th century music this album will be invaluable, and it's also made with wit and humour, to suit the character of Hopkins himself.