This is a disc of delightful music and is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in the English Pastoral Tradition.

Paul Bateman studied piano, organ, singing and ‘cello at the Guildhall School of Music in London, and began his musical career as an accompanist, chamber musician and opera repetiteur. Paul has conducted recordings with the Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, London Symphony, Munich Symphony, Vienna Symphony, Nörkopping Symphony and City of Prague Philharmonic orchestras. His total discography now includes over seventy recordings, including collections of the film music from a variety of composers.

He has given concerts with many major orchestras all over the world and has worked with a dazzling array of international artists including Bryn Terfel, Barbara Hendricks, Jessye Norman, Willard White, José Carreras, Joseph Calleja, Lesley Garrett, Sarah Brightman and Sir Paul McCartney. Paul is also the pianist of the Kammerspiel Piano Trio and in great demand as an arranger. His arrangements feature on the recordings of José Carreras, Lesley Garrett, Sarah Brightman and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

The opportunity to record the music of John Jeffreys, both as pianist and conductor, has been a revelation to him - the music being so beautifully crafted and with such a depth of emotion. On this recording Paul plays his own Fazioli piano.