Sarabande (Suite)

A few months ago, I happened upon a recording of “Sarabande” and was so taken with it that I ordered it, and ended up learning the whole “Suite” from which it is taken. Gerald Near is like a compositional chameleon. I have heard him channel his inner Paul Hindemith, Leo Sowerby, Herbert Howells and others in his works; not all in the same piece, however. The “Sarabande” is definitely influenced by Leo Sowerby’s bluesy chords, with perhaps a Hindemith underpinning. Although I will record the entire “Suite,” I thought that “Sarabande” should stand on its own for this video.

The Hereford Cathedral’s organ strings, Clarinet and Claribel Flute are on display in this sumptuous Gerald Near sample.