Bliss: Viola Sonata, Masks, Tryptich, Two Interludes & Toccata

Dive into the rich and diverse world of Arthur Bliss's chamber music with this captivating album, recorded in 1989 and released in 1991. The album showcases Bliss's remarkable compositional skills, featuring a collection of works that span a variety of moods and styles. At the heart of the album is the Viola Sonata, Op. 91, a four-movement piece that highlights the expressive range of the viola, performed with exquisite sensitivity by Emanuel Vardi and Kathron Sturrock. The sonata is followed by "Masks," a four-movement suite that explores a range of characters and moods, from the playful and vivacious to the introspective and melancholic. The album also includes "Triptych," a three-movement work that offers a meditation on the human condition, as well as two interludes and a toccata that showcase Bliss's virtuosic writing for the piano. Throughout the album, Vardi and Sturrock's performances are impeccable, bringing out the full depth and nuance of Bliss's music. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.