Described by Saint–Saëns as "the most remarkable of the young British composers", York Bowen’s 24 Preludes form a sequence of concise, richly expressive, scrupulously polished and directly communicative studies. The Berceuse Op. 83 ranks amongst Bowen’s most intimate scores, while the sophisticated Suite Mignonne demands the most delicate of touches from the player.

Listen to:
Suite for Piano no. 4, Op. 39, "Suite Mignonne"

24 PRELUDES, OP. 102 (1938) (51:22)
1 No. 1 in C Major: Moderato appassionato (01:14)
2 No. 2 in C Minor: Andante tranquillo (02:25)
3 No. 3 in D–Flat Major: Andante grazioso (02:03)
4 No. 4 in C–Sharp Minor: Allegro con fuoco (01:34)
5 No. 5 in D Major: Allegro risoluto (01:35)
6 No. 6 in D Minor: Andante con moto (02:54)
7 No. 7 in E–Flat Major: Andantino amabile (02:05)
8 No. 8 in E–Flat Minor: Poco lento, serioso (02:19)
9 No. 9 in E Major: Allegro risoluto e ritmico (01:48)
10 No. 10 in E Minor: Moderato, a capriccio (01:30)
11 No. 11 in F Major: Andante con moto e grazioso (02:27)
12 No. 12 in F Minor: Allegro con fuoco (01:42)
13 No. 13 in G–Flat Major: Andante tranquillo (02:36)
14 No. 14 in F–Sharp Minor: Allegretto scherzando (01:22)
15 No. 15 in G Major: Allegretto grazioso (02:08)
16 No. 16 in G Minor: Moderato semplice (02:28)
17 No. 17 in A–Flat Major: Andante molto espressivo (02:08)
18 No. 18 in G–Sharp Minor: Allegro con fuoco (02:32)

19 No. 19 in A Major: Andantino con moto (02:09)
20 No. 20 in A Minor: Allegro con fuoco (01:33)
21 No. 21 in B–Flat Major: Andante piacevole (02:19)
22 No. 22 in B–Flat Minor: Allegro molto e con fuoco (01:31)
23 No. 23 in B Major: Andante con moto (01:56)
24 No. 24 in B Minor: Moderato serioso e tragico (05:04)

25 BERCEUSE IN D MAJOR, OP. 83 (04:06)

26 BARCAROLLE IN G MAJOR (04:43 )

SUITE FOR PIANO NO. 4, OP. 39, "SUITE MIGNONNE" (08:53)
27 I. Prelude: Moderato (03:02)
28 II. Valse: Un poco sostenuto (02:40)
29 III. Finale: Moto perpetuo – Veloce e leggiero (03:11)

TOTAL TIME: 69:19

Cristina Ortiz began studies in her native Brazil before moving to Paris with a scholarship where she worked with Magda Tagliaferro. After winning a Gold Medal at the third Van Cliburn Competition in Texas, she went on to complete an invaluable period of tuition under the guidance of the legendary Rudolf Serkin at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia before choosing to settle in London. In an international career her natural musicality, masterful craftsmanship and timeless commitment to refined playing have ensured her a place among the most respected pianists in the world. She has performed with leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony, Philharmonia and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestras amongst many others, and has collaborated with conductors such as Neeme Järvi, Mariss Jansons, Kurt Masur, André Previn and David Zinman. Beyond the platform, Cristina Ortiz has recorded some thirty albums featuring a wide range of repertoire on EMI Classics, Decca, Collins Classics, and most recently on Intrada, Naxos and BIS. Between recitals and concerto performances, she is a committed teacher, giving master–classes worldwide as well as private peripatetic lessons. She has recently held workshops at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Australian National Academy of Music, the National Centre for the Arts in Mexico, the Tokyo College of Music, and Per Piano Solo Festival in Amandola, Italy, as well as throughout Britain.