Algernon Ashton | Capriccio, Nocturne und Toccata, Op. 108 (Nocturne)

Quite the masterpiece. Published in Berlin by N. Simrock in 1898, Capriccio, Nocturne und Toccata, Op. 108 brings together three sharply contrasting pieces for solo piano. The three titles do not imply a continuous narrative, but they establish a clear succession of characters: changeable and animated, sustained and lyrical, then increasingly driven by virtuoso motion. This nocturnes melody is woven into flowing accompaniment figures and colored by frequent chromatic movement; a more animated and sonorous central span eventually gives way to the return of the opening texture, and the piece again closes quietly. About the composer Algernon Bennet Langton Ashton (1859–1937) was an English composer and pianist whose musical education took place largely in Germany. From 1875 he studied in Leipzig with Carl Reinecke, Salomon Jadassohn and Ernst Friedrich Richter, later continuing his studies in Frankfurt with Joachim Raff and Iwan Knorr; after settling in London, he became Professor of Pianoforte at the Royal College of Music in 1885 and remained there until 1910. Ashton was exceptionally prolific, writing extensively for piano, chamber ensembles and larger forces, with his published opus numbers eventually reaching 174. More music I have played Algernon Ashton | Three Elegies, Op. 135: No. 2    • Algernon Ashton | Three Elegies, Op. 135: ...   Algernon Ashton: Reverie, Op.72/2    • Algernon Ashton: Reverie, Op.72/2   https://imslp.org/wiki/Capriccio%2C_N...