*
banner

CD review: Isobel Daws

Featuring: Timothy End (piano), BONE-AFIDE
Doyen Recordings: DOY CD416


  
This outstanding debut release provides a touchstone from which the musical career of Isobel Daws will surely be marked. 

The demands of its repertoire are impressive enough, yet placed in the context of a personal trajectory that has emerged from a time when openly questioning the very path she wanted to take, the results are remarkable. Her future is now focussed by a world class vision, living and working as part of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s Karajan Academy. 

Her openness mirrors a personality that hallmarks the performances themselves; the eight works demanding in ambition, virtuosity and engagement.

Full spectrum

Isobel Daws' command of the instrument is complete; a versatile, ironclad technique enveloped by mature musical understanding - perfectly weighted counterbalances enhanced by a full spectrum of tonal colours, insight and phrasing melisma.

The CD opens with the Pryoresque ‘A Dream of Fire’,  a waltz of sparkling, razor sharp wit that flits across the recording floor as if Dorothy Parker was taking part in ‘Come Dancing’.

It forms part of a triptych of compositions of commanding virtuosity, including the tortuous brilliance of Brian Lynn’s remarkable ‘Doolallynastics’  – as terrifying in its almost psychopathic leanings as it is terrific; a mix of trauma technique meets scream out loud Hammer House of Horror.  

including the tortuous brilliance of Brian Lynn’s remarkable ‘Doolallynastics’  – as terrifying in its almost psychopathic leanings as it is terrific; a mix of trauma technique meets scream out loud Hammer House of Horror.  

The third is Jim Maynard’s ‘Vistas’,  specially written for Isobel Daws in the form of a three-movement portrait framed by the perspective of a window view into the composer’s back garden.

Each recalls complex emotions and meditations brought by the passing seasons, atmospheric pollution and even the slightly comedic skein of flying geese, all distant honkings and balletic beauty. It is played with refined, elegant consideration.  

Counterbalances

Their counterbalances come with the restrained longing of Elgar’s ‘Romance’,  richly forlorn and distant, and Schumann’s ‘Adagio and Allegro’,  which displays its passions like a fresh puff of perfume that lingers enticingly close to the skin. 

The soloist draws linear lines (aided throughout by the excellent skills of pianist Timothy End) with a richness of flow that is never bogged down by the emotional ballast, 

The soloist draws linear lines (aided throughout by the excellent skills of pianist Timothy End) with a richness of flow that is never bogged down by the emotional ballast, whilst Jongen’s ‘Aria et Polonaise’  is diffused like a memory of a passionate dance brought fresh once more to the mind’s eye.

All this and the love of song is also evoked by Poulenc’s delightful ‘Les Chemins de l’amour’ – as delicate as it is sumptuous, and Ponce’s ‘Estrellita’  – a BONE-AFIDE quartet played with the camaraderie of old friends walking home arm in arm from an old back street tavern in Mexico City under a velvet star-sprinkled sky.

Iwan Fox


To purchase: 
https://www.worldofbrass.com/isobel-daws-cd

http://www.wobplay.com

Play list:

1. A Dream of Fire (Saskia Apon)
2. Vistas (Jim Maynard)
i. Pasage
ii. Intermezzo
iii. Skein

5. Romance (Edward Elgar)
6. Doolallynastics (Brian Lynn)
7. Aria et Polonaise (Joseph Jongen)
8. Les Chemins de l’amour (Francis Poulenc)
9. Adagio & Allegro (Robert Schumann arr. Thomas Pilsbury)
10. Estrellita (Manuel Ponce)

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd