“…Readers will be delighted to hear that the playing time, unusually long, gives good value for money. The recording in Glasgow Concert Hall’s pleasant ambience is excellent, with crisp strings, and powerful brass and percussion. Perhaps the strings might have been given a more reverberant acoustic to add to their brilliance and good playing. Järvi and the excellent Royal Scottish Orchestra work well together… “
“…Readers will be delighted to hear that the playing time, unusually long, gives good value for money. The recording in Glasgow Concert Hall’s pleasant ambience is excellent, with crisp strings, and powerful brass and percussion. Perhaps the strings might have been given a more reverberant acoustic to add to their brilliance and good playing. Järvi and the excellent Royal Scottish Orchestra work well together… “
Raymond J Walker – MusicWeb-International.com – 25 November 2020
“… it is an advantage to hear Alwyn’s score so exquisitely played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Chandos’s wide-ranging recording…”
“… it is an advantage to hear Alwyn’s score so exquisitely played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Chandos’s wide-ranging recording…”
Christopher Webber – Opera – November 2020
“… this is certainly a Vixen to cherish… Rattle’s new set is a considered alternative view and it’s the most sumptuously played Vixen on disc. Add to that the warmly persuasive singing of Crowe, Burgos, Finley and the rest, and it’s clear that anyone who loves Vixen should explore this new recording.”
“… this is certainly a Vixen to cherish… Rattle’s new set is a considered alternative view and it’s the most sumptuously played Vixen on disc. Add to that the warmly persuasive singing of Crowe, Burgos, Finley and the rest, and it’s clear that anyone who loves Vixen should explore this new recording.”
Nigel Simeone – Opera – November 2020
“… The conductor here is the true hero: Thielmann’s orchestral storytelling negates any vocal deficiencies, making for an engrossing Frau which carves out a very special niche in the opera’s rich recorded history.”
“… The conductor here is the true hero: Thielmann’s orchestral storytelling negates any vocal deficiencies, making for an engrossing Frau which carves out a very special niche in the opera’s rich recorded history.”
Christopher Webber - Opera – November 2020
"... A recording worth exploring not only for its musical values but for its dramaturgical solution to a modest work ideally suited to airings during this times of repertoire adjustment."
"... A recording worth exploring not only for its musical values but for its dramaturgical solution to a modest work ideally suited to airings during this times of repertoire adjustment."
John Allison - Opera - November 2020
“… The Jommelli and Traetta extracts demonstrate convincingly how far opera had moved on by the early 1760s, from not just the Baroque, but also the Rococo spirit of composers such as Hasse. They also find Skerath in command of agile coloratura allied to considerable (and very necessary) dramatic gifts. She is unerringly supported by page, whose expected idiomatic empathy with all this music is complemented by playing that demonstrates his keen ear for orchestral balance. This is a splendid collection that whets the appetite for further exploration of this intriguing repertoire.”
“… The Jommelli and Traetta extracts demonstrate convincingly how far opera had moved on by the early 1760s, from not just the Baroque, but also the Rococo spirit of composers such as Hasse. They also find Skerath in command of agile coloratura allied to considerable (and very necessary) dramatic gifts. She is unerringly supported by page, whose expected idiomatic empathy with all this music is complemented by playing that demonstrates his keen ear for orchestral balance. This is a splendid collection that whets the appetite for further exploration of this intriguing repertoire.”
Brian Robins – Opera – November 2020
Disc of the Month
“.. Capturing the Grimes of his generation in Stuart Skelton, this recording was always going to be essential. Edward Gardner’s account is the relentless, refuse-to-look-away heir to Davis’s unblinking performance. Coupled with Skelton’s broken giant of an antihero, the effect feels television-fresh –musical reportage to the more crafted drama of Britten and Pears’s original.”
Disc of the Month
“.. Capturing the Grimes of his generation in Stuart Skelton, this recording was always going to be essential. Edward Gardner’s account is the relentless, refuse-to-look-away heir to Davis’s unblinking performance. Coupled with Skelton’s broken giant of an antihero, the effect feels television-fresh –musical reportage to the more crafted drama of Britten and Pears’s original.”
Alexandra Coghlan – Opera – November 2020
“Composer George Kontogiorgos’ illustrious tonal melodies highlight this Global Music Award-winning release with four works inspired by Greek traditional songs/mythologies, juxtaposing tonal and atonal sounds, pentatonic scales, Romanticism, minimalism, jazz and pop soundscapes. Saxophonist Stathis Mavrommatis and pianist Christina Panteli rise to the occasion to master and perform these dense, challenging, stylistically diverse works with technical and musical aplomb!.. Kontogiorgos’ understanding of his personal musical influences and the infrequently heard saxophone/piano instrumentation along with great playing makes for illuminating listening.”
“Composer George Kontogiorgos’ illustrious tonal melodies highlight this Global Music Award-winning release with four works inspired by Greek traditional songs/mythologies, juxtaposing tonal and atonal sounds, pentatonic scales, Romanticism, minimalism, jazz and pop soundscapes. Saxophonist Stathis Mavrommatis and pianist Christina Panteli rise to the occasion to master and perform these dense, challenging, stylistically diverse works with technical and musical aplomb!.. Kontogiorgos’ understanding of his personal musical influences and the infrequently heard saxophone/piano instrumentation along with great playing makes for illuminating listening.”
Tiina Kiik – thewholenote.com – 2 November 2020
My Wish List
Desert Island Disc
Welcome, Francesca!
We are sorry to hear of the passing of pianist Eric Parkin, aged 96. Eric made over
Jennifer Pike MBE
We are all moved by today’s news that soprano Erin Wall has been taken from us by cancer, aged just 44. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family & friends. ,%20by%20sim%20canetty-clarke%20photography.jpg)
Queen's Medal
Gramophone Awards
Korngold BBC triumph!
Gerard Schurmann
Colli IP Cover Star
Reicha 250 Anniversary
Ralph Couzens Interview
