Avril Coleridge-Taylor: Piano Concerto & Orchestral Works - Samantha Ege (piano), BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, John Andrews (conductor) - Resonus Classics - RES10374

Avril Coleridge-Taylor: Piano Concerto & Orchestral Works

£13.99
Total playing time [76:33]

Samantha Ege (piano)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
John Andrews (conductor)

This landmark recording is the first album devoted entirely to the music of Avril Coleridge-Taylor (1903–1998). A composer, conductor, pianist and singer of remarkable versatility, she long remained in the shadow of her father, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

Here, at last, her artistry takes centre stage. Featuring world-premiere recordings of some of her most significant orchestral works, the album reveals a distinctive musical voice – eloquent, assured, and deeply personal.

Together, these performances stand as a powerful testament to her creativity and resilience, illuminating the experiences of a woman of colour in twentieth-century Britain.

Supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation

Vaughan Williams Foundation Logo

Album Booklet (PDF)

About the Artists: Samantha Ege; BBC Philharmonic Orchestra; John Andrews

Tracklist

Piano Concerto in F minor
1. Allegro maestoso.
‘To the friends who inspired me to write this work’
2. Adagio.
‘To the memory of a great musician: Edward Elgar’
3. Allegro deciso.
‘In remembrance of my Father’
4. Comet Prelude (1952–1953)

5.–7. Sussex Landscape (1940)

8. To April (1930–1931)

9. From the Hills (1934)

10. Valse Caprice

11. In Memoriam: To the R.A.F. (1945)

12. In Memoriam: Largo for Orchestra (1967 rev. 1980)

“

'An excellent way to learn more about [Avril Coleridge-Taylor's] story. Excellent performances and notes.'

- BBC Radio 3 Record Review

'An excellent way to learn more about [Avril Coleridge-Taylor's] story. Excellent performances and notes.'
BBC Radio 3 Record Review

'Andrews and the Phil sound completely under the skin of this music. Brilliantly despatched by Ege, the Piano Concerto has a Rachmaninoff-esque scale and sweep'
Presto Music

'Andrews has been doing fine work advocating for music that should be recorded and performed more often'
Gramophone

'There is a great deal to enjoy here and the BBC Philharmonic play with conviction. The conductor John Andrews seems to have an unerring touch when approaching music which is little known, having been little performed.'
British Music Society

'[...] there is much here that is intriguing. The music reveals a thoughtful, original voice, which has never given the opportunity to be heard – I, for one, was grateful for the chance to hear this repertoire.'
The Classic Review

'Andrews' conducting stands out for its sensitivity to orchestral color and dynamic nuance. The BBC Philharmonic brings warmth and transparency to the music'
Allmusic.com

'Unlike her father, Avril Coleridge-Taylor did not enjoy much recognition during her lifetime. So this recording — the first completely dedicated to her music — is not so much a resurrection as a long overdue discovery.'
Classical Voice America

© 2025 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2025 BBC / Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10374
Producer, editor & mastering: Adam Binks
Engineer: Stephen Rinker
EAN: 5060262794142
Release date: 21 November 2025