This second volume of Trombone Travels (Volume 1 is on 8574093) continues with Matthew Gee’s exploration of three great cycles of early 20th-century British song. Elgar’s Sea Pictures evoke lullaby and turbulence alike, Vaughan Williams’s Songs of Travel chart a wanderer’s lonely journey through the landscape, and in Songs of the Sea Stanford’s music embraces both the sombre and the exhilarating, with Gee joined by a trombone chorus to emulate the male voice choir. Throughout the recital Gee lavishes colouristic effects, the use of mutes, and subtle inflections that reinforce the trombone’s unique ability to mimic vocal techniques.

Vol.1 of Trombone Travels (8574093) by Matthew Gee featured his arrangement of Schubert’s Winterreise. According to Fanfare, ‘Gee is a master of his instrument, with a suave tone and immaculate technique, and is ably supported at the piano by the equally expressive playing of Christopher Glynn.’ An American Record Guide review added that Gee has a ‘perfect tone – pure, full, and warm in all registers – and he has the enviable ability to handle the highest notes with seeming ease.’

Matthew Gee has been principal trombone with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since 2010, and also holds principal positions with the Aurora Orchestra and Septura. His passion for the trombone has driven him to release two solo albums – Paradiso e inferno and Matthew Gee’s Amazing Sliding Circus.

Christopher Glynn is a GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and accompanist, working with leading singers, instrumentalists and ensembles in concerts, broadcasts and recordings throughout the world. He is also artistic director of the Ryedale Festival, programming around 60 events each year in the many beautiful and historic venues of Ryedale, North Yorkshire. His many awards include the accompaniment prize in The Kathleen Ferrier Awards (2001) and the Gerald Moore Award (2003).