Paul Pattersonʼs Phoenix Concerto gives solo oboist Emily Pailthorpe the character of the mythical Phoenix Firebird itself: mercurial, sensuous, mesmerising and captivating.

Commissioned by David Bowerman and first performed in 2009, this is the world premiere recording. Patterson writes “The fire, passion and power of the Phoenix are very present in the outer movements of this piece, with the last movement filled with mesmerising dance-rhythms. The oboeʼs unparalleled ability to recreate the feel of exotic birgsong is showcased in the opening cadenza and central slow movement.”

Alongside this new work is Vaughan Williamsʼ beloved Concerto in A minor for Oboe and Strings, composed for another great exponent of the oboe, Leon Goossens, in 1944. Although superficially a work of pastoral serenity and bucolic piping for the soloist, there are undercurrents that remind the listener that it was composed in wartime.

The Howells Oboe Sonata is another world premiere, here in a new orchestration by Benjamin Wallfisch for strings with harp, played by Hugh Webb. In its original incarnation (not heard until after the composerʼs death in 1982, and with heavily orchestral piano writing) the work presented problems to its dedicatee, again Goosens, who said he had ʻserious reservationsʼ.

Of this new arrangement, however, Pailthorpe says: “I feel liberated… I can float my sound over the breadth of the ECO strings, and the harp texture is wonderful...”. She adds: “The Howells and the Vaughan Williams, both written in the early 1940ʼs, arise from the ashes of World War II and, in this sense, they seem fitting to include on this “Phoenix” CD."

Founder member of acclaimed chamber ensemble Conchord, Emily Pailthorpe is a graduate of the Julliard School and the youngest ever winner of the Gillet International Oboe Competition. She made her solo Wigmore debut in 2004 and guests as principal oboe with several leading international orchestras.