Variations

An adventurous programme of twentieth and twenty-first century variations for piano. From the majestic Chaconne by Sofia Gubaidulina, to the impassioned virtuosity of Szymanowski's Variations, this disc presents a fresh perspective on the genre.

The Observer cited the album's "dazzling" displays of invention, Gramophone described Clare as a "pianist of extraordinary gifts" and The Times noted her "immense power, tightly harnessed now to the moment's expressive needs". Crescendo (Belgium) described her as "one of the most exploratory pianistic personalities of our time".

Clare performed an accompanying series of recitals in schools and prisons, generously support by Arts Council England and the Scops Arts Trust. You can read more about these in Music Teacher Magazine, read press reviews here, and listen to an extended feature on the disc for 'L'écho des Pavanes' on RTS Espace 2 below.

The disc was released on BIS Records in 2021 and is available on eClassical, iTunes, Presto Music, Europadisc and Amazon. It features the following works:

• Karol Szymanowski - Variations on a Polish Theme, Op. 10
• Helmut Lachenmann - 5 Variations on a Theme of Franz Schubert
• Harrison Birtwistle - Variations from the Golden Mountain
• John Adams - I Still Play
• Aaron Copland - Piano Variations
• Paul Hindemith - Variations
• Sofia Gubaidulina - Chaconne

This disc was generously supported by Arts Council England, The John S Cohen Foundation, The Fidelio Charitable Trust, Golsoncott Foundation, Stradivari Trust, Penny Wright and Andrew Neubauer.