Various Composers - Elements (Huw Wiggin; Oliver Wass)

Information

1. François Couperin - Le Rossignol en amour: Le Rossignol en amour (arr. O. Wass & H. Wiggin)
2. Charlotte Harding - Euphotic
3. Johann Sebastian Bach - Aria mit vershiedenen Veränderungen, BWV 988: Aria (e after i) [arr. O. Wass]
4. Henry Purcell - Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act III: Lament. When I am laid in Earth (arr. O. Wass & H. Wiggin)
5. Yshani Perinpanayagam - The Weary Soil and the Greedy Shoot
6. Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Concerto No. 1 in E Major "Spring", RV 269: II. Largo (transc. B. Dewagtere)
7. David Wallace - blowing A gale
8. Johann Sebastian Bach - Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068: II. Air (arr. I. Farrington)
9. Simon Rowland-Jones - Silent Air
10. Johann Sebastian Bach - French Suite No. 3 in B Minor for Solo Harp, BWV 814: III. Sarabande (arr. O. Wass)
11. Arcangelo Corelli - La Follia, Op. 5 No. 12 (arr. O. Wass & H. Wiggin)
12. Laura Bowler - Caesium
13. Johann Sebastian Bach - Two part invention in F Major, No. 8, BWV 779 (arr. O. Wass)
14. Andy Scott - Sussurros Brasileiros
15. Arcangelo Corelli - Sonata No. 4 in F Major: IV. Allegro (arr. O. Wass & H. Wiggin)
16. Laura Bowler - With You

Huw Wiggin, saxophone

Oliver Wass, harp

Leander Kippenberg, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Orchid Classics

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The collaborative album Elements, performed by saxophonist Huw Wiggin and harpist Oliver Wass, explores the distinct and richly colored sound world of their instrumentation through a conceptual program inspired by the four classical elements. The repertoire bridges centuries, seamlessly interweaving inventive arrangements of Baroque masterpieces by Bach, Purcell, Vivaldi, and Couperin with contemporary works commissioned specifically for the duo. These modern pieces—ranging from Charlotte Harding’s luminous textures to the volatile and virtuosic energies of Laura Bowler and David Wallace—demonstrate the duo's expansive technical range. Ultimately, the pairing delivers an intimate, expressive palette that balances lyrical stillness with radiant, dramatic virtuosity.

British saxophonist Huw Wiggin has established a distinguished global career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator, performing at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall. Celebrated by The Times for his "liquid gold tones," the Royal Over-Seas League First Prize winner is a dedicated advocate for contemporary repertoire, regularly commissioning leading composers. His versatile discography includes chart-topping albums and his latest 2026 collaboration, Elements, with harpist Oliver Wass. Currently serving as Professor of Saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music—which recently awarded him an Honorary ARAM—Wiggin also performs with the Ferio Saxophone Quartet and maintains elite industry endorsements.

Acclaimed harpist Oliver Wass boasts an impressive academic and competitive background, holding a first-class chemistry degree from the University of York and a first-class master's degree from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He has secured top prizes at multiple international competitions, famously becoming the first harpist to win the prestigious Guildhall Gold Medal. Performing on both modern and historical instruments, Wass has interpreted major harp concertos at world-renowned venues alongside elite ensembles. Additionally, his chamber group, The Pelléas Ensemble, has earned critical acclaim from The Times and captured several distinguished chamber music awards.