“… It is that kind of all-encompassing performance. I have no idea whether Antonini is exercised by the naivety some perceive in The Creation. If he is, he doesn’t for one moment betray any such concern. It is his inspiring direction, his multi-faceted conception of a work that runs a gamut from ultimate grandeur to near child-like wonder, that has produced this spellbinding, life-enhancing testament.”
“… It is that kind of all-encompassing performance. I have no idea whether Antonini is exercised by the naivety some perceive in The Creation. If he is, he doesn’t for one moment betray any such concern. It is his inspiring direction, his multi-faceted conception of a work that runs a gamut from ultimate grandeur to near child-like wonder, that has produced this spellbinding, life-enhancing testament.”
Brian Robins – Early Music Review.com – 20 November 2020
“… The recordings are characterized by honest joy of playing and warmth. The fluid music-making, full of vibrant life, fills the listener with enthusiasm for these beautiful Hungarian pieces. Very charming are Geza Frid’s and Laszlo Weiner’s string trios, masterly likewise the Sonata for Violin and Cello by Sandor Veress. The sound of the Offenburg String Trio is beautifully balanced, the musical discipline exemplary, the expression enchanting. Nothing is artificial, nothing designed for contrasts and effects, but for natural flow, with a healthy balance between the musicality of the works and their anchoring in the 20th-century.” *****
“… The recordings are characterized by honest joy of playing and warmth. The fluid music-making, full of vibrant life, fills the listener with enthusiasm for these beautiful Hungarian pieces. Very charming are Geza Frid’s and Laszlo Weiner’s string trios, masterly likewise the Sonata for Violin and Cello by Sandor Veress. The sound of the Offenburg String Trio is beautifully balanced, the musical discipline exemplary, the expression enchanting. Nothing is artificial, nothing designed for contrasts and effects, but for natural flow, with a healthy balance between the musicality of the works and their anchoring in the 20th-century.” *****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.com.lu – 16 January 2021
Pizzicato Supersonic
Pizzicato Supersonic
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.com.lu – 14 January 2021
“… The 12th Symphony was written in the 1970s as a commission from the University of Uppsala on nine poems by Pablo Neruda, translated into Swedish, which are mainly about death and desolation and human cruelty. The music is typical Petterson, mostly fluid and rhythmically urgent, with an occasional inserted lament. It is not an easy work, and one has to follow the music by the text to get its message. Christian Lindberg’s conducting is exciting especially since, in addition to the orchestra from Norrköping, he has a vocal ensemble at hand – the Swedish Radio Choir and the excellent Eric Ericson Chamber Choir – which impressively shapes the quasi continuous vocal part.” ****
“… The 12th Symphony was written in the 1970s as a commission from the University of Uppsala on nine poems by Pablo Neruda, translated into Swedish, which are mainly about death and desolation and human cruelty. The music is typical Petterson, mostly fluid and rhythmically urgent, with an occasional inserted lament. It is not an easy work, and one has to follow the music by the text to get its message. Christian Lindberg’s conducting is exciting especially since, in addition to the orchestra from Norrköping, he has a vocal ensemble at hand – the Swedish Radio Choir and the excellent Eric Ericson Chamber Choir – which impressively shapes the quasi continuous vocal part.” ****
Norbert Tischer - Pizzicato.com.lu - 13 January 2021
“… Elena Sartori exerts a tense grip on the music and gives it immediate impact thanks to a good and committed ensemble of soloists. The singing – both solo and ensemble – is excellent throughout, with very characterful interpretations that help the listener follow the action without constantly looking at the libretto. And so this is a very good performance (and recording) of a work that really deserves to be better known.” ****
“… Elena Sartori exerts a tense grip on the music and gives it immediate impact thanks to a good and committed ensemble of soloists. The singing – both solo and ensemble – is excellent throughout, with very characterful interpretations that help the listener follow the action without constantly looking at the libretto. And so this is a very good performance (and recording) of a work that really deserves to be better known.” ****
Nobert Tischer - Pizzicato.com.lu - 12 January 2021
“… The four musicians play spiritedly and intensely but also with a great deal of refinement and nuance, thus very well shaping Holmboe’s music in which the listener will find the dramatic parts as appealing as the more intimate passages that are full of poetry without a pathetic aftertaste. What is striking about the interpretations is the tonal beauty and the variety of colours that give the music a great inner liveliness.” ****
“… The four musicians play spiritedly and intensely but also with a great deal of refinement and nuance, thus very well shaping Holmboe’s music in which the listener will find the dramatic parts as appealing as the more intimate passages that are full of poetry without a pathetic aftertaste. What is striking about the interpretations is the tonal beauty and the variety of colours that give the music a great inner liveliness.” ****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.com.lu – 12 January 2021
“… Christian Immler sings with his warm baritone voice expressively and comprehensibly. Helmut Deutsch impresses, as always, with a rich playing that makes his supportive interpretation very expressive. This SACD is highly recommended.” *****
“… Christian Immler sings with his warm baritone voice expressively and comprehensibly. Helmut Deutsch impresses, as always, with a rich playing that makes his supportive interpretation very expressive. This SACD is highly recommended.” *****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.com.lu – 10 January 2021
“Anyone loving contemporary a cappella choral music will appreciate the Requiem Under the Arching Heavens by the Finnish-American composer Alexander Freeman…. The performances by the Helsinki Chamber Choir are of the highest quality.” *****
“Anyone loving contemporary a cappella choral music will appreciate the Requiem Under the Arching Heavens by the Finnish-American composer Alexander Freeman…. The performances by the Helsinki Chamber Choir are of the highest quality.” *****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.com.lu – 10 January 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
