“…these are very fine performances of very attractive music; and while serious collectors are bound already to have multiple versions of these works – including the Grieg, which has been recorded a number of times – this new release can still be strongly recommended for a balance of superb playing and keen musical intelligence that find just the right mood and tone for each of these pieces.”

"... All three works featured on this album are brilliantly crafted and highly attractive. They should appeal to just about everyone ... Performances by James Feddeck and the Deutsches Symphony Orchestra Berlin are fantastic, and CPO's recording is even more vivid than usual."

“… I have nothing but praise for the performances. Anna Torge and Mayumi Hirasaki deliver truly speechlike interpretations, with a good articulation and effective dynamic shading. The fast movements are played with energy and aplomb. The ensemble is also excellent. One doesn't need to have a special liking of the mandolin to thoroughly enjoy this disc.”

Taken from a review of DK 6134 & DK 6135):

“… If you are new to the composer I would suggest starting with the second disc (DK 6135), on which all three works are rewarding. However, you will probably then want to hear the other part of the trilogy, possibly the most attractive of the three … Certainly the Papillons trilogy is well worth hearing.”

“… It is difficult to believe that this series is now at Volume 36, and it is still introducing the listener to marvellous music. As with all the disc in this series that I own, Miklós Spányi is excellent. I keep saying that I should get more, and on this evidence, it is becoming increasingly evident that I do not have enough. The recorded sound is also excellent; it captures the instrument so well that the sound qualities of both the fortepiano and harpsichord are easily discernible from the tangent piano. As always, the booklet notes are excellent; this has been a feature of this series and it has helped to place the music in the context of the history of both the composer and of musical development.”

“…I have enjoyed all three volumes of this series on Chandos and in fact I think they have got better with each succeeding disc. Wang’s versions of the three concerti are now the finest in the catalogue with the Concierto argentino a delight. The Variaciones receive a fine recording … Presentation is up to the usual Chandos high standards: this is a ‘normal’ 24-bit recording and the liner is presented in the usual tri-lingual format. Xiayin Wang's discography continues to grow in quantity and quality with both concerti here showcasing her technical and musical brilliance. Further proof if any more were needed of the richness and quality of classical music from Latin America.”

“… The sound was impressive and Evelyn Glennie’s performance in the Percussion Concerto is both exciting and breath-taking. I certainly would like to hear more of John McLeod’s music. Based on this CD, it is imaginative, interesting and always highly approachable. His style of modernism demands attention, is challenging, but never insists that the listener put aside their inherent love of ‘sweet airs that give delight and hurt not’…”

“…The sound quality is excellent, the playing is impressive, ‘inventive’ and dynamic, although we have nothing to compare Mary Dullea’s performance with. Everything tells me that this is an ideal ‘wrap’… This is an impressive and often quite beautiful production.”

“… Clever, entertaining, well-played and recorded …”

“… Thanks to the music and the performances, this is a compelling disc which every lover of baroque music should add to his collection.”

 

Recording of the Month

"... There's no denying that these scores make a dramatic impact and challenge the listener to the hilt. For me they've been a revelation. All are gripping performances in superb sound..."

“Another very attractive performance of this concerto - and this is probably the version to live with.”

“… Overall there is freshness to Curnyn’s direction that evokes appropriately the Arcadian world of an innocent love-story murderously interrupted by the jealous Cyclops Polyphemus. The small chorus – presumably the five soloists in ensemble, with the addition of Rowan Pierce, as no other singers are credited in the booklet (which includes the text) – ensures that the choral numbers are executed cleanly, and the incisive attack on the imitative lines of ‘Oh, the pleasure of the plains’ gives the music bite and impetus, drawing the listener into the intimacy of this enchanted world, and the open acoustic of St-Jude-on-the-Hill gives the music room to breathe and an impression of the outdoors. Crucially, also, there is space for Allan Clayton to bring Acis to life with his warmly ardent, mellifluous singing, which is unaffectedly expressive. Likewise Lucy Crowe combines assurance and control as his lover, the nymph Galatea, with a musical delicacy that foreshadows the vulnerability of their short-lived happiness…”  *****

“…Another Bacewicz winner.” – Jonathan Woolf – May 2018

“…These are gripping and exhilarating performances, which I cannot fault in any way. The Chandos engineers have done a stirling job in capturing the detail of each of the instruments. This is facilitated by the generous acoustic of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music concert hall in Katowice. Adrian Thomas’ scholarly notes are an added bonus.” – Stephen Greenbank – 18 July 2018

“Joseph Haydn and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet: all-round geniuses. Special listening abounds in Volume Seven of Bavouzet’s Chandos series devoted to this wonderful and innovative composer’s keyboard Sonatas, each movement bringing a feast of design and invention, surprises galore, Haydn an ideas man who takes them on a journey of subtle, sly and, sometimes, downright fanciful twists and turns; even the simplest gestures have a magic to them…” *****

“… These Toronto performances are consistently fine … In the wonderful oboe Concerto, Sarah Jeffrey is more than immaculate: her musicianship is very fine …” *****