“… Leshnoff has entrusted the two touching texts to the baritone voice. Stephen Powell sings them very emotionally and is supported by Michael Stern with exciting orchestral playing. This symphony is truly a valuable piece of music and as original as it is well written. Highly recommended!” ****
“… Leshnoff has entrusted the two touching texts to the baritone voice. Stephen Powell sings them very emotionally and is supported by Michael Stern with exciting orchestral playing. This symphony is truly a valuable piece of music and as original as it is well written. Highly recommended!” ****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.lu – 20 November 2020
“… Both pieces are performed with great vigour and urgency. However, this energy is not exaggerated. As is usual with the recordings of this ensemble, they achieve very well balanced and lively results. The four vocal soloists further enrich the performance…” *****
“… Both pieces are performed with great vigour and urgency. However, this energy is not exaggerated. As is usual with the recordings of this ensemble, they achieve very well balanced and lively results. The four vocal soloists further enrich the performance…” *****
Uwe Krusch - Pizzicato.lu – 19 November 2020
“… Schmitt created an opulent and sensual music for this drama, from which JoAnn Falletta conducts the Suite op. 83bis. The Buffalo Philharmonic plays with flexible elegance. Schmitt’s Légende for saxophone and orchestra from 1918 can be heard in the composer’s own transcription for violin. BPO concertmaster Nikki Chooi plays the solo part in this opulent piece, which is heard here in a very suggestive performance. So, as the interpretations of this program are excellent, we can only recommend this CD. It is a homage to the music of a composer who should not be neglected despite his political misconduct.” *****
“… Schmitt created an opulent and sensual music for this drama, from which JoAnn Falletta conducts the Suite op. 83bis. The Buffalo Philharmonic plays with flexible elegance. Schmitt’s Légende for saxophone and orchestra from 1918 can be heard in the composer’s own transcription for violin. BPO concertmaster Nikki Chooi plays the solo part in this opulent piece, which is heard here in a very suggestive performance. So, as the interpretations of this program are excellent, we can only recommend this CD. It is a homage to the music of a composer who should not be neglected despite his political misconduct.” *****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.lu – 18 November 2020
“… The recording uses a shortened Italian version. The ensemble Os Musicos do Tejo, founded by Marcos Magalhaes, plays on historical instruments. Already the Sinfonia is exciting. The music celebrates the onomatopoeic farce, whereby its charm only develops in the second act. The arias are based on short themes and concise phrases and are supported by a variable and atmospheric use of instruments. The Portuguese ensemble skilfully picks up the drastic humour as well as the melodrama with hearty duets and lively ensembles, also with the choir. In the role of Buona Fede, the bass Luis Rodrigues is an excellent buffo. His daughters, sopranos, are no less pleasing. Carla Caramujo has a light voice, while Susana Gaspar’s voice has more colour and body, but also some sharper tones. Their lovers are the tenors Joao Pedro Cabral as Ernesto and Fernando Guimaraes as Ecclitico. With the rapturous aria Un poco di denaro Guimaraes lets an appropriately lively voice be heard…” *****
“… The recording uses a shortened Italian version. The ensemble Os Musicos do Tejo, founded by Marcos Magalhaes, plays on historical instruments. Already the Sinfonia is exciting. The music celebrates the onomatopoeic farce, whereby its charm only develops in the second act. The arias are based on short themes and concise phrases and are supported by a variable and atmospheric use of instruments. The Portuguese ensemble skilfully picks up the drastic humour as well as the melodrama with hearty duets and lively ensembles, also with the choir. In the role of Buona Fede, the bass Luis Rodrigues is an excellent buffo. His daughters, sopranos, are no less pleasing. Carla Caramujo has a light voice, while Susana Gaspar’s voice has more colour and body, but also some sharper tones. Their lovers are the tenors Joao Pedro Cabral as Ernesto and Fernando Guimaraes as Ecclitico. With the rapturous aria Un poco di denaro Guimaraes lets an appropriately lively voice be heard…” *****
Uwe Krusch – Pizzicato.lu – 16 November 2020
*****
*****
Remy Franck - Pizzicato.lu - 15 November 2020
“… The intensity and inward focus she [Akopian] brings to her programme of Chopin mazurkas, Janácek’s In the Mists and short pieces by Medtner and Liadov makes the whole thing spellbinding.”
“… The intensity and inward focus she [Akopian] brings to her programme of Chopin mazurkas, Janácek’s In the Mists and short pieces by Medtner and Liadov makes the whole thing spellbinding.”
Erica Jeal – The Guardian – 26 November 2020
Nominee in Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category
Nominee in Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category
63rd Grammy Awards 2021
Nominee in Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category
Nominee in Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category
63rd Grammy Awards 2021
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
