Juliana Koch Presents Ruth Gipps at Her Best

Chandos has already released two albums of Ruth Gipp's orchestral music. This release features some of her chamber works for oboe. Gipps was an accomplished oboist, pianist, and composer. So I would expect that this music would have some of her best work. And I think it does. 

Gipps fully exploits the potential of the oboe. There are few examples of extended technique here, but plenty of demanding passages. 

Gipps studied composition with Gordon Jacobs and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Throughout her career, her music remained resolutely tonal. Several works suggest an "Englishness" in their modal harmonies and melodic shapes. 

But Gipps used these elements sparingly, as a way to enhance her own musical expression. 

Juliana Koch performs with impressive facility. Her runs are immaculate. The intonation of the instrument is also spot on. This is an album of incredible beauty. 

For me, the title track was the real showpiece. "The Piper of Dreams" is for solo oboe. Gipps crafts a melody that implies its harmony.  This provides the listener a point of reference. And Koch's playing adds to the experience.

The trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano, Op. 10 was written in 1940, while Gipps was still studying composition. The influence of her teachers may be the strongest here. And yet there's no mistaking thing music for anyone else's. 

Gipps had a rare gift for composition and one that just is now being fully appreciated. If you like English music, this disc is for you. 

Ruth Gipps: Piper of Dreams
Juliana Koch, oboe, cor anglais
Michael Michale, piano; Julian Bliss, clarinet
Chandos CHAN 20290