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Covid-19: Update: 23rd July 2020
During the current unprecedented situation, Chandos Records continues to trade as normally as possible. As many of our staff are working remotely, we would ask you to submit any queries online here rather than by telephone. CD orders are being despatched on the next working day, but understandably delivery times will vary regionally, and may take significantly longer than usual, depending on your location. Please note that we will not be despatching orders to countries placed ‘on suspension’ by UK’s Royal Mail. We thank you for your understanding, and wish all our customers a healthy outcome!
Gramophone Awards
BBCSO, Bergen Phil & CBSO Orchestral nominees
Korngold BBC triumph!
Korngold wins Orchestral BBC Music Award 2020
Schonberg: Erwartung etc
'Record of the week' on BBC 3's Record Review
Dido & Aeneas
Chaconne release BBC 3's Recommended Recording!
Sunday Times Pick
Shostakovich is Sunday Times Album of the Week!
Gerard Schurmann
Remembering Gerard, who passed on 24 March at 96.
Parry: Judith
BBC Record Review
'Record of the week'
Colli IP Cover Star
Federico Colli on latest International Piano magazine
Bartok with Bavouzet
BBC Building a Library recommended recording
Reicha 250 Anniversary
Enjoy Ivan Ilic's celebrated docu-series on composer.
Ralph Couzens Interview
Presto interviews Managing Director Ralph Couzens
Artist in Focus
Louis Lortie
Louis Lortie’s thirty-year relationship with Chandos Records has produced a catalogue of over 45 recordings, covering repertoire from Mozart to Stravinsky. Current projects include the five Saint-Saëns piano concertos with Edward Gardner, solo piano works by Fauré and the complete works of Chopin.
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Latest Reviews
“…“The Prison” is a good place to start if you’re unfamiliar with Smyth’s music, as I was. This flowing, highly charged performance features soprano Sarah Brailey and Grammy-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Together with the orchestra and chorus they do full justice to the enormous creative power Smyth wielded as her career crested… Brailey’s golden tone is a perfect instrument for it. In one movement, in a nod toward the modern, Smyth has the soprano soloist sing most of her part on just one note while the orchestra twists intriguing melodies and harmonies around it. Brailey’s performance throughout is one of profound grace, complemented nicely by Burton’s smooth, sensitive and focused portrayal of the Prisoner, who ultimately “disbands his ego” and glories in death’s summons… As interesting as the music is, it’s also an easy listen, in the best sense of the word…”
“…“The Prison” is a good place to start if you’re unfamiliar with Smyth’s music, as I was. This flowing, highly charged performance features soprano Sarah Brailey and Grammy-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Together with the orchestra and chorus they do full justice to the enormous creative power Smyth wielded as her career crested… Brailey’s golden tone is a perfect instrument for it. In one movement, in a nod toward the modern, Smyth has the soprano soloist sing most of her part on just one note while the orchestra twists intriguing melodies and harmonies around it. Brailey’s performance throughout is one of profound grace, complemented nicely by Burton’s smooth, sensitive and focused portrayal of the Prisoner, who ultimately “disbands his ego” and glories in death’s summons… As interesting as the music is, it’s also an easy listen, in the best sense of the word…”
Classical Album of the Week
“… Gardiner’s trump cards are his famous choir — thrilling in the great choral reaction to Semele’s death, O Terror and Astonishment! — and Louise Alder’s entrancing Semele, who makes every highlight, especially her vain and seductive Myself I shall adore and the bravura No, no, I’ll take no less. Hugo Hymas’s young Jupiter is an appealing, stylish Handelian. Gardiner is in his element with this great piece.”
Classical Album of the Week
“… Gardiner’s trump cards are his famous choir — thrilling in the great choral reaction to Semele’s death, O Terror and Astonishment! — and Louise Alder’s entrancing Semele, who makes every highlight, especially her vain and seductive Myself I shall adore and the bravura No, no, I’ll take no less. Hugo Hymas’s young Jupiter is an appealing, stylish Handelian. Gardiner is in his element with this great piece.”
****
****
“… it [Sym No. 5] is a very characteristic and memorable neo-romantic work, brilliantly and atmospherically played by the Nashville Symphony, one of the three orchestras that commissioned the work. Supplica is a kind of lament… ». Giancarlo Guerrero’s conducting is very sensitive and lyrical. The concluding Concerto for Orchestra, dedicated to Marin Alsop, first contrasts smaller virtuoso and calm passages, followed by a longer calm and reflective part and finally an Allegro, which reaches a frenzied, almost hysterical climax. This very characteristic and exciting work can also be heard in a gripping performance, which concludes this grandiose and recommendable CD… a welcome and top-class homage to this wonderful composer.” *****
“… it [Sym No. 5] is a very characteristic and memorable neo-romantic work, brilliantly and atmospherically played by the Nashville Symphony, one of the three orchestras that commissioned the work. Supplica is a kind of lament… ». Giancarlo Guerrero’s conducting is very sensitive and lyrical. The concluding Concerto for Orchestra, dedicated to Marin Alsop, first contrasts smaller virtuoso and calm passages, followed by a longer calm and reflective part and finally an Allegro, which reaches a frenzied, almost hysterical climax. This very characteristic and exciting work can also be heard in a gripping performance, which concludes this grandiose and recommendable CD… a welcome and top-class homage to this wonderful composer.” *****
“… It was to be expected that the Berlin Baroque Soloists under the musical direction of Reinhard Goebel would perform to the best of their ability. In both symphonies they play flexibly, colourfully and expressively, and as the singer’s accompanists they nestle wonderfully to the voice. The baritone Benjamin Appl inspires with a fabulous diction and tasteful phrasing. In terms of vocal culture, artful singing and Bach interpretation he shows himself to be a sovereign master. His extremely warm and very agile voice is as if made for the cantatas and goes far beyond the intellectual view of his teacher Fischer-Dieskau, both vocally and interpretatively. Also worth mentioning is the excellent solo playing of oboist Christoph Hartmann.” *****
“… It was to be expected that the Berlin Baroque Soloists under the musical direction of Reinhard Goebel would perform to the best of their ability. In both symphonies they play flexibly, colourfully and expressively, and as the singer’s accompanists they nestle wonderfully to the voice. The baritone Benjamin Appl inspires with a fabulous diction and tasteful phrasing. In terms of vocal culture, artful singing and Bach interpretation he shows himself to be a sovereign master. His extremely warm and very agile voice is as if made for the cantatas and goes far beyond the intellectual view of his teacher Fischer-Dieskau, both vocally and interpretatively. Also worth mentioning is the excellent solo playing of oboist Christoph Hartmann.” *****
“… It [Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra in 2010] is dedicated to Heidrun Holtmann, who also plays it in this recording. With echoes of Prokofiev and Bartok, the three-movement work is a pleasing mix of reflective and lively playful passages in consistently bright colours… these works are very rhetorical and often describe situations. They are played by Heidrun Holtman in an expressive and technically excellent way. The Piano Concerto is wonderfully light and lively, with excellent, very vital piano playing and a very transparent and colourful orchestral part.” ****
“… It [Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra in 2010] is dedicated to Heidrun Holtmann, who also plays it in this recording. With echoes of Prokofiev and Bartok, the three-movement work is a pleasing mix of reflective and lively playful passages in consistently bright colours… these works are very rhetorical and often describe situations. They are played by Heidrun Holtman in an expressive and technically excellent way. The Piano Concerto is wonderfully light and lively, with excellent, very vital piano playing and a very transparent and colourful orchestral part.” ****
“… The first CD begins with the String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major (D 87) from 1813, which can be heard in an interpretation that is as sensitive as it is vital. This is followed by an outstanding interpretation full of unity and expressiveness of the well-known C minor Quartettsatz. The four musicians have a real feeling for the sound world of this torso, they create a great inner tension and show the innovative nature of this music with great clarity…” ****
“… The first CD begins with the String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major (D 87) from 1813, which can be heard in an interpretation that is as sensitive as it is vital. This is followed by an outstanding interpretation full of unity and expressiveness of the well-known C minor Quartettsatz. The four musicians have a real feeling for the sound world of this torso, they create a great inner tension and show the innovative nature of this music with great clarity…” ****
“… The combination of exceptional music-making and thoughtful programming will reward repeated listening – recommended.”
“… The combination of exceptional music-making and thoughtful programming will reward repeated listening – recommended.”
