“…The Orsino Ensemble contains some of the cream of modern British wind players and this shines forth in their excellent, intuitive playing. Their ensemble work is sparkling throughout, and while I admit to preferring the pieces where a combination of winds play, their soloists also shine when they get their opportunity to perform. Pavel Kolesnikov’s contribution cannot be dismissed either; his insightful pianism shows that he is an excellent chamber recitalist, and his contributions here are most telling. The disc is aided by a nice acoustic and superb recorded sound and the booklet notes helpfully provide insight into the music. This is a most rewarding and welcome and rewarding disc, which I hope will be the first of many by the Orsino Ensemble.”
“…The Orsino Ensemble contains some of the cream of modern British wind players and this shines forth in their excellent, intuitive playing. Their ensemble work is sparkling throughout, and while I admit to preferring the pieces where a combination of winds play, their soloists also shine when they get their opportunity to perform. Pavel Kolesnikov’s contribution cannot be dismissed either; his insightful pianism shows that he is an excellent chamber recitalist, and his contributions here are most telling. The disc is aided by a nice acoustic and superb recorded sound and the booklet notes helpfully provide insight into the music. This is a most rewarding and welcome and rewarding disc, which I hope will be the first of many by the Orsino Ensemble.”
Stuart Sillitoe – MusicWeb-International.com – 13 May 2021
“… As soon as this symphony ambles into its opening bars we feel supremely in safe hands, guided by a veteran conductor with a special knack for underlining the music’s organic mutations and growth. The process is further enhanced by the Leipzig sound: clear, balanced, warm, forceful without being rude. Yet the special glory of Blomstedt’s thoughtful interpretation is its emotional resonance… Blomstedt shows us its [Sym No 2] beauty, but equally unveils its dark melancholy, particularly felt in bridging passages pursued at hesitant speeds. This is a performance that should last.” ****
“… As soon as this symphony ambles into its opening bars we feel supremely in safe hands, guided by a veteran conductor with a special knack for underlining the music’s organic mutations and growth. The process is further enhanced by the Leipzig sound: clear, balanced, warm, forceful without being rude. Yet the special glory of Blomstedt’s thoughtful interpretation is its emotional resonance… Blomstedt shows us its [Sym No 2] beauty, but equally unveils its dark melancholy, particularly felt in bridging passages pursued at hesitant speeds. This is a performance that should last.” ****
Geoff Brown – The Times – 12 May 2021
“… Intelligent, attractive music with a very distinctive personality. That we have this anthology at all is a cause for celebration, a permit issued by Lithuania’s minister of culture granting conductor Giedre Šlekyte and pianist Gabrielus Alekna permission to fly to Vilnius last July for the recording sessions. Ondine’s sound is spectacular.”
“… Intelligent, attractive music with a very distinctive personality. That we have this anthology at all is a cause for celebration, a permit issued by Lithuania’s minister of culture granting conductor Giedre Šlekyte and pianist Gabrielus Alekna permission to fly to Vilnius last July for the recording sessions. Ondine’s sound is spectacular.”
Graham Rickson – theartsdesk.com – 24 April 2021
“… Giltburg set himself the task of learning and recording all 32 sonatas during 2020, surely one of the reasons why the performances on this release sound so fresh. Recorded sound is excellent.”
“… Giltburg set himself the task of learning and recording all 32 sonatas during 2020, surely one of the reasons why the performances on this release sound so fresh. Recorded sound is excellent.”
Graham Rickson – theartsdesk.com – 8 May 2021
“There’s much to enjoy here and admire, both in the performances and the selections on hand, which hardly dwell on the usual suspects or limit themselves too narrowly.”
“There’s much to enjoy here and admire, both in the performances and the selections on hand, which hardly dwell on the usual suspects or limit themselves too narrowly.”
Jonathan Blumhofer – theartsfuse.org – 18 April 2021
“… A strong group of soloists drawn from the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic orchestras bring erudition, vitality and interpretive understanding to all this music. I found every piece and movement splendidly played and interpreted. Naxos’s sound recording is excellent. The liner notes by Paul Hindmarsh are extensive and provide all the information required for enjoyment of this eclectic and wide-ranging music. It is a cliché, but I do hope that there are several more CDs of Edward Gregson’s music “in the can”, be they instrumental, symphonic or chamber.”
“… A strong group of soloists drawn from the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic orchestras bring erudition, vitality and interpretive understanding to all this music. I found every piece and movement splendidly played and interpreted. Naxos’s sound recording is excellent. The liner notes by Paul Hindmarsh are extensive and provide all the information required for enjoyment of this eclectic and wide-ranging music. It is a cliché, but I do hope that there are several more CDs of Edward Gregson’s music “in the can”, be they instrumental, symphonic or chamber.”
John France – MusicWeb-International.com – 14 May 2021
“Mokranjac’s melancholy and introspective piano music is subtly appealing and ideally presented on this fine disc.”
“Mokranjac’s melancholy and introspective piano music is subtly appealing and ideally presented on this fine disc.”
MusicWeb-International.com - 14 May 2021
“… The lighter serenading side of this buoyantly imaginative composer. The music is really glowingly recorded. The orchestra (which turns its collective hands to all sorts and conditions of music) may have been unfamiliar with the music but, guided by Adriano, betrays no clumsiness…”
“… The lighter serenading side of this buoyantly imaginative composer. The music is really glowingly recorded. The orchestra (which turns its collective hands to all sorts and conditions of music) may have been unfamiliar with the music but, guided by Adriano, betrays no clumsiness…”
Rob Barnett – MusicWeb-International.com – 13 May 2021
My Wish List
BBC Orchestral Winner
BBC Chamber Winner
The Prison wins a GRAMMY
Barry Douglas Podcast
BBC R3 Record of Week
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!
Ralph Couzens Interview
