This disc gathers together all of composer, pianist and fellow Gramophone critic Peter Dickinson’s piano rags, blues and stylistic take-offs, some of which were previously released on the Conifer and Albany labels. Two extended works also appear in world premiere recordings. The programme commences with a droll ragtime treatment of MacDowell’s To a Wild Rose, immediately followed by a slow and mysterious, blues-based view of the same piece. Bach in Blue uses the C major Prelude from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 as a slow, undulating accompaniment to a new brooding and lyrical melodic line. At times Dickinson’s cleverness seems a tad forced, as in Patriotic Rag’s embellishments and unaccompanied ‘breaks’, yet the gorgeous harmonies and fresh rhythmic invention he divines throughout his blues-to-boogie revamping of Satie’s Gnossiennes never fail to delight and engage the ear. The same can be said for his slow and spacious Four Piano Blues.

One assumes that the pianist Dickinson’s spirited and accomplished performances reflect the composer Dickinson’s wishes, although the pianist/composer/critic Distler would interpret the rags in a harder-hitting, brasher and more dynamically contrasted style. Not surprisingly, Dickinson’s booklet-notes reveal him to be equally articulate and erudite away from the keyboard and the composing desk. An enjoyable release,
highly recommended.