John Beckwith: Calling

Calling is a collection of instrumental works composed between 2006 and 2016, performed by New Music Concerts Ensemble, pianist Bruce Mather and the Accordes String Quartet, clarinetist Peter Stoll with pianist Adam Zukiewicz, pianist Barbara Pritchard, flutist Robert Aitken with pianist William Aide, and guitarist Peter Higham. The present release is an instrumental companion to the vocal CD Avowals (Centrediscs, CMCCD 12907, 2007).

John Beckwith marked his ninetieth birthday in March 2017. He has been composing for over seventy years, with a total so far of over 160 works in many different forms. Since his early retirement in 1990 from his long-time position with the University of Toronto music faculty, his premieres have included the orchestral works, the opera Taptoo!, some major choral works such as Wendake/Huronia, the song-cycle Stacey, as well as approximately two dozen pieces for various chamber ensembles, some of which are featured on this recording.