The Winter 2020 issue of CASS Magazine is a brilliant read, including features on saxophonist Timothy McAllister, Alastair Penman's new EP 'Do you hear me?' & Jenni Watson and Emma McPhilemy's project #lockthesaxdown.
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Alison Stephens was the leading exponent of the classical mandolin in the UK, working at one time or another with most of the country’s major orchestras. She did much to popularise the instrument too, through contributions to popular films (most notably Captain Corelli’s Mandolin), live performances, teaching and composing.

​A formidably accomplished musician, educator and composer, Alison was also the founding mandolin editor of Astute Music; editing and composing a catalogue of mandolin music for all abilities, ensuring that future generations of mandolin players would have an easier journey than the difficult road of musical discovery she had to navigate.

Admired by her many friends and colleagues, and much missed by her friends here at Astute Music, we fondly salute her memory at this poignant ten year anniversary of her untimely death. 

Read more about Alison's life and career here 
Explore her publications here
Listen to Alison's recordings here

Suites No. 1 BWV 1007 and No. 2 BWV 1008 (flute solo) by J.S. Bach arranged by Astute Music's Flute editor, Clare Southworth

​Movements from this publication are set on the Associated Board and Trinity Exam syllabus:
ABRSM Grade 8 piece - 1st Movement from Suite No.2
​Trinity Flute Grade 7 piece - Prelude from Suite No.1
​Trinity Flute Grade 8 piece - Giga from Suite No.2

For more information on the suites click here 

Whilst you're here... we highly recommend Clare Southworth's #1 flute podcast Talking Flutes! Find out more here


- Link HERE

Composer Will Gregory says, "There are certain undefined, misheard or otherwise unclear sounds that leave our brains free to invent and delude. One device which favours sounds of this type is the AM radio. Was that someone whistling the last bar of the Czech National Anthem while playing space invaders in a revolving door; or just a low battery. The leap that we make towards interpreting what we cannot hear also has a strong element of nostalgia. Perhaps we will never again hear something quite like that. Our aerial will never pass exactly through that same strip of space. In the end we accept the shortfall between our ears and our understanding. We can choose to enjoy it. We can have a big knees-up to a good signal, even if we're not sure of what it is or where it comes from."

Check out Tom Plater's website HERE

Interference for saxophone and CD by Will Gregory is available as a hard copy and PDF download HERE

The Sacred Lake of Karnak by Alex McGery has been chosen as a set piece for the XI Open International Internet Competition for Young Musicians.
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The Sacred Lake of Karnak is a short, highly melodic piece for solo flute. It was inspired by a visit to Egypt, travelling down the Nile River to the Valley of the Kings (the resting place of Tutankhamun) and on to the Sacred Lake itself, which was artificially constructed under the rule of Pharaoh Tuthmosis III in about 1473 BC.

Alex McGery writes, "I have always been fascinated by the idea of marrying the music of western and eastern cultures especially as it presents the composer with the chance to write something that is evocative of a completely different era or part of the world, and yet remains familiar to its’ audience. With this piece I wanted to give the listener the immediate impression of living within the Ancient Egyptian society in all its’ architectural and cultural splendour."   

​For more on the music click here 

We love it when we come across videos of music available from one of our composers, and this video is no exception. A great video of Three Letter Word by Andy Scott for saxophone and piano. This is a performance by Chad Lilley on alto saxophone with Liz Ames on piano recorded at the Britton Recital Hall, University of Michigan School of Music.