Features
Here you will find news and information about Joseph James: recordings, releases and interviews.
After Rachmaninov - released on 15 January
This new cd (Novelbond 5) with Joseph James’s Concerto in C minor and Cinq Morceaux de Fantaisie after Rachmaninov, was released on 15 January 2009. It was recorded by the strings and soloists (Stephanie Gonley, Annabelle Meare, Jonathan Barritt, Caroline Dale, Timothy Walden, Stephen Williams) of the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Orlando Jopling in June, September and December 2007. The recording is dedicated to the memory of Francis James Brown (1925-2008).
Baroque instruments in The Scarlet Letter
Cornett and serpent being played in the recording of The Scarlet Letter
The music of Joseph James is notable for the extraordinary range of sonorities that are encountered. The opera The Scarlet Letter (1991) is scored for a very large orchestra, unusual not only for the inclusion of a huge percussion session, but also for the use of several instruments characteristic of the Baroque period, including Kit Fiddle, Viola d’Amore, 2 Viole da Gamba, Cornett, Serpent, 2 Chitarroni, Hurdy-Gurdy, 2 Harpsichords and Regals, as well as a Contrabass Banjo, Irish Harp and Musical Glasses. The individual sounds of several of these instruments can be heard in the music examples to be accessed through the Scarlet Letter webpage.
Priest of Love DVD
Although the Priest of Love film was originally theatrically released over 20 years ago, a great deal of research and work has gone into the production of a DVD which was released in the UK and Ireland in 2002. For a film of that vintage, there are an extraordinary number of extras including photo gallery, deleted scenes, recent interviews with Penelope Keith and Sir Ian McKellen, director's commentary etc.
Priest of Love DVD
Directed by Christopher Miles
Starring Ian McKellen as D H Lawrence with Janette Suzman,
Ava Gardner and Penelope Keith
Music by Joseph James