“The combination of ideas in dreams is essentially fantastic; they are linked together in a sequence which is as a rule quite foreign to our ‘reality thinking’” C.G. Jung.
These Fantasy Preludes are written as sounds and moods, inspired by events in the unreal world of dreams and fantasies. These musical dream sequences pass through wide-ranging emotions, sometimes unashamedly romantic (Amoroso), sometimes nightmarish (Danse Profane), sometimes trance like (Sotto Voce or In Der Nacht), sometimes religious (Chorale), sometimes quirky (Capriccio). They should be played quite freely - even with abandon. If I could dream musical sounds, the result would probably not be dissimilar to these nine preludes (Carol Barratt).
Carol Barratt studied at the Royal College of Music, London, where she quickly established herself as a composer and pianist, also studying the violin. After graduating, she was awarded the prestigious Martin Musical Scholarship given by the Philharmonia (the first woman and first composer to be so honoured), enabling her to study composition with Elizabeth Lutyens CBE. Her concert works include her Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Fantasy Preludes & Pattern Preludes, and her song cycles Love... a Strange Disease, and Songs for Singing. Carol has also devoted her life to music education and is acknowledged as an award winning leading authority on the subject. She has over 80 publications in
print including the renowned Chester Piano Books for Chester Music, and the Bravo! series for Boosey and Hawkes (see publisher list below). Her music has frequently been set for various examination boards including the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
In 1996 she received the Musical Industries award for the Educational Publication of the Year and in 1998 she was made an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Music.
Fuzzy Moon Records is thrilled to be releasing Carol Barratt’s Fantasy Preludes Performed by Danny Evans Recorded at Abbey Road Wednesday 16th February 2011 Master by Gerry O’Riordan at The Soundhouse June 2016 Fantasy Preludes are published by Boosey & Hawkes 1996 Artwork by Isaac Titus Glover; “Zodiac Signs” Painting by Elena Kotliarker.
