Release Date: 7 November 2025 (with digital availability from 14 November 2025).
Available as a DigiSleeve CD and for download and streaming in high-resolution audio (96 kHz/24-bit FLAC/ALAC/WAV), standard quality (44.1 kHz/16-bit), and 320 kbps MP3. A digital booklet is included. Presto Music
About the Music
This album brings together three orchestral works composed between 2022 and 2024, each reflecting different facets of my creative voice:
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (2024) – Approx. 19:35 in duration
- Four movements: Prelude (Andante innocente), Aria (Larghetto), Interlude, Toccata (Allegro marcato).
- Performed by Sebastian Comberti and the London Mozart Players under Jürgen Bruns.
Gommecourt (2024) – Approx. 28:42
- A four-movement symphony for orchestra with piano obbligato, dramatising the story of my grandfather, Tom Fribbins, at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
- Movements include: “Gommecourt Wood” (Marcato decisivo e pesante), “Hébuterne, France” (Adagio), “Wie schmeckt der coffee süße” (Allegro moderato, scherzando), and “La Vierge penchée – La basilique d’Albert, France” (Estatico).
- Piano soloist: Johan Randvere; Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under Robertas Šervenikas.
Folk Songs (2022) – Approx. 14:17
- A suite of three folk-inspired movements: Prelude on Bugail Yr Hafod (Adagio), Fugue After Ajde Jano (Scherzando), and Fantasia on Azt gondoltam eső esik (Andante).
- Performed by Saša Mirković with the London Mozart Players under Jürgen Bruns.
Recording Details
- Concerto and Folk Songs recorded at St George’s Church, Harrow, London on 31 May 2024.
- Gommecourt recorded at the Philharmonic Hall in Vilnius, Lithuania on 6–7 January 2025.
- Produced by Michael Ponder (Concerto and Folk Songs) and Vilius Keras (Gommecourt).
- Editing, mixing & mastering: Adaq Khan and Vilius Keras; Dolby Atmos surround-mix by David Jones (Sonus Audio).
Performers & Credits
| Work | Soloist(s) | Ensemble | Conductor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cello Concerto | Sebastian Comberti (cello) | London Mozart Players | Jürgen Bruns |
| Gommecourt | Johan Randvere (piano obbligato) | Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra | Robertas Šervenikas |
| Folk Songs | Saša Mirković (viola) | London Mozart Players | Jürgen Bruns |
Production Team:
- Producer: Michael Ponder.
- Recording & editing: Adaq Khan, Vilius Keras.
- Dolby Atmos surround sound mix: David Jones (Sonus Audio).
Why This Release Matters
This album is deeply personal—Gommecourt honours my grandfather’s experience in 1916, whilst the Cello Concerto and Folk Songs explore lyricism, folk heritage, and expressive dialogue with the solo instrument.
It represents three distinct voices: the dramatic and historical, the passionate and virtuosic, and the intimate and melodic.
Release Information
- DigiSleeve CD and high-resolution digital formats available worldwide from 7 November 2025
I’m incredibly proud of this collection and grateful to all the musicians, engineers, and producers involved. I hope the music speaks directly to listeners everywhere.