Francis Thorne, piano; Polish National Radio Orchestra; William Strickland, Conductor
Contemporary Chamber Players of the University of Chicago, Ralph Shapey, Conductor
Jubal Trio: Constance Beavon, mezzo-soprano; Sue Ann Kahn, flute; Susan Jolles, harp;
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; James Dixon, Conductor
Geoffrey Fuller, electric guitar, electric bass guitar
“I believe the most natural music making comes from a great deal of listening, especially to one’s own inner ear.” —Francis Thorne
If the stylistic diversity of his compositions is any indication, Francis Thorne’s inner ear must be as filled with the ragtime, jazz, and burlesque of his youth as it is with the trends and schools of modern composition.
Born in Bay Shore, New York, in 1922 into a musical family (his grandfather was Gustave Kobbé, who is best known for Kobbé’s Opera Book), Thorne studied piano from an early age. His first formal training took place at Yale University. After college came three-and-a-half years in the navy during World War II, followed by nine years working on Wall Street. All this time Thorne kept up his jazz piano playing, which brought him into contact with Duke Ellington, whose personal recommendation led to a two-year stint at Manhattan’s Hickory House—Thorne’s first professional job as a musician. His return to the world of music reactivated his desire to compose, bringing him two years of private study with David Diamond in Florence, Italy. “Diamond was not only a terrific teacher,” Thorne recalls, “but he was finally my real mentor and inspiration as far as serious musical composition was concerned.” In 1964, Thorne’s first mature work, Elegy for Orchestra, received high praise at its premiere by the Philadelphia Orchestra, with Eugene Ormandy conducting.
His catalogue now comprises close to 100 pieces in a variety of genres. Maintaining his jazz credentials, Thorne has crossed over into the world of cabaret styles. As pianist and singer, with bassist Jack Six, he has recorded for CRI two albums of standards and rarities: “Irving Berlin Songs” and “Porter On My Mind.”
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Francis Thorne: Orchestral & Chamber Works
| MP3/320 | $9.99 | |
| FLAC | $9.99 | |
| WAV | $9.99 | |
| CD-R | $9.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Burlesque Overture
Francis Thorne
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Rhapsodic Variations No. 1
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: I. Grotesque I - Adagio maestoso; Allegretto misterioso
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: II. Romance - Adagietto
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: III. Jam Session I - Presto vivace
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: IV. Grotesque II - Allegretto
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: V. Chorale Prelude - Adagio semplice
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: VI. Jam Session II - Allegro con fuoco
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: VII. Finale - Andante grazioso; Presto vivace
Francis Thorne
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Nature Studies: I. Going to Sleep in The Country
Francis Thorne
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Nature Studies: II. The Cricket
Francis Thorne
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Nature Studies: III. Looking Up
Francis Thorne
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Liebesrock
Francis Thorne
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