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The musical world of eighteenth-century Europe was a small one. Despite the problems presented by contemporary standards of transport, it was quite normal for composers in one part of Europe to be entirely au fait with what was happening elsewhere. This is borne out by the closeness of three German composers: Telemann, godfather to C.P.E. Bach; Pisendel; and J.S. Bach, who admired both his compatriots and composed some astoundingly difficult music for the violinist Pisendel. This programme celebrates their music as well as the music of those who contributed to their musical heritage. Included alongside the German triumvirate are works by Vivaldi who physically helped with the composition of Pisendel’s A minor concerto movement, Fasch who was a great friend of Pisendel and Telemann, and Brescianello, an Italian who helped the dissemination of Italian instrumental music throughout the German-speaking lands and whose concertos were played in Dresden by Pisendel. All downloads include booklets. -
The Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford celebrate the works of choral music icon Herbert Howells in a disc that sets his works alongside pieces that they inspired and influenced – such as Nico Muhly’s Like as the Hart for choir, solo violin and percussion – as well as works that in turn influenced him. The disc features two world premiere recordings by David Bednall: settings of two Marian antiphons Alma redemptoris mater and Ave regina caelorum that ‘complete’ the partly-lost set of works that Howells wrote for Westminster Cathedral.
Led by their director Owen Rees, the Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford is among the finest and most active university choirs in the UK. Its wide-ranging repertory includes a rich array of music from Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces to contemporary works, including commissions.
★★★★★ A distinguished disc - Choir and OrganAn excellent disc: the singing is incredibly tight, in the manner to which it has become increasingly accustomed under its musical director, Owen Rees, and Bednall’s writing is ingenious - Gramophone
This is a welcome disc of some lesser-known repertoire - Cathedral Music Magazine A well planned collection of British sacred music - Music Web International -
Hymns are part of the UK’s national culture, available to believers and non-believers alike. Some of the most popular hymn-tunes featured here – such as O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded or Good Christians All – are over four hundred years old, while others date from the latter half of the 20th century. Founded in 1836, the internationally renowned Huddersfield Choral Society is one of UK’s leading choral groups. Famed for their ‘Huddersfield Sound’, they have a long established histoy of recordings and performances, appearing at the BBC Proms in 2018 as well as broadcasing regualarly on radio and television. A must for choral devotees - The Northern Echo -
World-renowned a cappella group The King’s Singers follow their recent Great American Songbook album with the Christmas equivalent, on a disc that pays homage to the group’s roots whilst acknowledging their current passion for swing. Traditional favourites such as “The holly and the ivy,” “In the bleak midwinter,” and the beautiful Austrian carol “Still, Still, Still,” jockey for position amongst modern-day classics like “Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Sleigh Ride.” All are presented in new arrangements by some of the group’s favourite arrangers: Berty Rice, Keith Roberts and Alexander L’Estrange. There’s an infectious sense of glee… To say it’s what you would expect from this dexterous ensemble is recommendation enough - Choir and Organ -
Based at Windsor Castle, the members of The Queen’s Six make up half of the Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel, whose homes lie within the Castle walls. This rare privilege demands the highest musical standards, as they sing regularly for the Royal family at both private and state occasions. In 2018 this included the weddings of Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank, and Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, both held in St George’s Chapel. Most significantly however, it is the familiarity of living and singing together in Chapel every day that lends this group its distinctive closeness and blend, as well as an irresistible informality and charm. Individually, members of The Queen’s Six have appeared in many of the most prestigious vocal ensembles on the circuit, including The Tallis Scholars, Tenebrae, and The Sixteen. Their repertoire extends far beyond the reach of the choir stalls: from austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, lewd madrigalsand haunting folk songs to upbeat Jazz and Pop arrangements. -
This is the third volume in the EP series ‘The Library’ – a series that explores both the history, and the new horizons, of The King’s Singers close-harmony repertoire. Close-harmony is the part of their work for which they are best known, and their library of thousands of arrangements is one they’re determined to explore, maintain and develop. The track-listing is designed to celebrate some old favourites from the library alongside brand new arrangements and adaptations, created especially for these recordings, which may perhaps become ‘old favourites’ of the future. The King’s Singers were founded on 1 May 1968 by six choral scholars who had recently graduated from King’s College Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since. -
This is the fourth volume in our The Library EP series. The idea behind it is to explore, maintain and grow our library of close-harmony repertoire. “Close-harmony” is arguably the part of our work for which we are best known, and our library of thousands of pop, jazz and folksong arrangements is one we’re always determined to nurture. The track-listing for each volume in the series is designed to celebrate old favourites alongside brand new arrangements created especially for these recordings, which we hope will become the ‘old favourites’ of the future”. The King’s Singers were founded on 1 May 1968 by six choral scholars who had recently graduated from King’s College Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since. "The group itself does not disappoint in its perfect tuning and absolute vocal control, which are showcased in some challenging vocal settings. The engineering of this recording made in the superb acoustics of the Snape, Maltings could not be improved upon." - Musicweb International -
Acclaimed for their life-affirming virtuosity and irresistible charm, The King’s Singers are in global demand. Their work – synonymous with the best in vocal ensemble performance – appeals to a vast international audience. The Library is the name of a series of EP releases that celebrates our ‘close-harmony’ library, both historically and as it grows each year. Close-harmony is the phrase we have always used to describe its lighter repertoire, and we see The Library as our chance to make sure this rich vein of great song-writing and arranging gets the place of prominence it deserves. The Library recording series will involve regular releases which will come out alongside other touring and recording projects, giving us an output for revisiting some of these old favourites and commissioning brand new close harmony from recent releases. Every volume in The Library series will capture a variety of songs, celebrating the wonderful diversity of music in our world today. All downloads include booklets. -
This is the second volume in the EP series ‘The Library’. The idea behind this series is to explore both the history, and the new horizons, of The King’s Singers close-harmony repertoire. Close-harmony is the part of their work for which they are best known, and their library of thousands of arrangements is one they’re determined to explore, maintain and develop. The track -listing is designed to celebrate some old favourites from the library alongside brand new arrangements and adaptations, created especially for these recordings, which may perhaps become ‘old favourites’ of the future. Volume 2 was recorded in the beautiful surroundings of Snape Maltings, Suffolk (UK) - a place most famous for its association with Benjamin Britten - and it proved to be a relaxing and inspiring place to work for two beautiful wintry days. The King’s Singers were founded on 1 May 1968 by six choral scholars who had recently graduated from King’s College Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since. All downloads include booklets. -
International award-winning composer, Amanda Lee Falkenberg has composed a dynamic new work that merges music and science. The seven-movement symphony dramatizes past, present and future moon explorations, and highlights discoveries that have been made in our search for other worlds that could possibly sustain life. Through seven exhilarating movements, concertgoers will experience a stunning space adventure that focuses on the stories of these fascinating moons. But what uniquely defines this symphony is its planetary core message which culminates in the 7th movement, dedicated to Earth-Moon. This final movement offers a discovery of a different kind and provides a unique opportunity to view our planet united and whole, from the surface of the Moon, a breathtaking, life-changing experience referred to as THE OVERVIEW EFFECT. The impact of such a privileged sight has inspired a call to action from Astronauts and as a result, has propelled them to share this profound perspective shift with all of us here on Earth. Through the persuasive and powerful forces of music, the symphony offers Earthlings a chance to contemplate who and where we are in the universe. In 42 minutes they will be taken on an emotional journey, marveling at the wonders of these moons, the beauty of our planet, and possibly even experience their own perspective shift as crew-mates aboard this spaceship we cruise, Earth. This is the story of THE MOONS SYMPHONY. ★★★★★ "This is a real one-off…it succeeds because [Falkenberg's] a very experienced composer of film music, and the extraordinary quality of the performance" - Choir and Organ "Marin Alsop secures excellent playing from the London Symphony Orchestra" - Gramophone ★★★★ "Falkenberg’s passionate and creative adaptation of the film music genre is firmly embraced by the committed artistry of the London Symphony under Marin Alsop and the warm cohesion and crystalline diction of the London Voices directed by Ben Parry…The Moons Symphony offers a precious and timely perspective on our own fragile planet that we would do well to heed" - Limelight "This ambitious project is brought to life by a sizzling LSO and a gutsy London Voices…This is musical painting on an infectiously grand scale" - BBC Music Magazine "This is a captivating work, an exciting and emotional journey in tonal language, in which the composer aspires to make her music serves as a reflection on who we are and where we are, so that we are aware of the beauty of our planet and the majesty of the moons of our solar system...Alsop is impeccable because of the naturalness with which she extracts all the melodic weight of this work, which lives with the stars" - Sonograma ★★★★½ "This is music designed to grab the listener's attention. It also happens to be right up the alley of conductor Marin Alsop, leading the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Voices; she builds a solid structure and keeps it moving along effectively" - All Music -
As 2014 heralds the composer’s 80th year, Harrison Birtwistle remains one of the most popular voices in contemporary composition in the UK and beyond. This new collection of premiere recordings draws together recent commissions with older works to mark the occasion, with characteristically flawless performances from the BBC Singers under Nicholas Kok. They are joined on this disc by the Nash Ensemble and baritone Roderick Williams.
Best Classical CDs of 2014 The Guardian ★★★★★ Recorded after a memorable Proms UK premiere last year, The Moth Requiem is one of Birtwistle's most austerely beautiful works ... The Ring Dance of the Nazarene, featuring a standout contribution from Williams, is similarly striking, as are performances and recording - Classical Music Magazine Birtwistle’s characteristic melodic angularity and rhythmic complexity are duly represented in six pieces written between 1965 and 2012, including two strikingly evocative recent triumphs — the buoyantly mystic Ring Dance of the Nazarene and the shadowy, haunting Moth Requiem — with all of it sung supremely well - The New York Times Birtwistle is scaling new heights just now, and the elegiacMoth Requiem transports us to a sonic world of beguiling mystery. These singers have his music in their bones, presenting it with precision and sensitivity, be it the stark, monumental Carmen Paschale, a glistening gem of a Lullaby or the dynamic Ring Dance of the Nazarene- BBC Music Magazine -
Calvin Hampton’s creative voice was an immensely important one within the New York musical world of the 1960s and 70s, and found his own ‘Bohemia’ - as Jeremy Filsell describes. The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, directed by Filsell bring us the first commercial release of less well-known, somewhat neglected choral and organ works by the composer, who died of Aids at the age of 46. “Hampton’s unique voice is one of rare breadth, and it is hoped that this present recording, made in his adopted New York, the city which continually inspired his creativity, and gave voice to his music, may help in some way to stimulate greater interest in both his choral and organ music” - Jeremy Filsell. ★★★★★ “The soul of this album is Hampton’s work for choir. It’s put across with luminosity and polish by the Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue Choir of Men and Boys, which Filsell Directs” - Choir and Organ "All played with unsparing clarity by Jeremy Filsell” - Cathedral Music "[Hampton's work for choir] It's put across with luminosity and polish...to evoke the feeling of listening to Hampton's music in a New York City church much like his own? That is essential and to be embraced" - Cathedral Music -
The renowned Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys record a fitting tribute to their former Choirmaster and Organist Gerre Hancock (1934-2012). In this post for over 30 years, he was a pivotal figure in the choir’s rejuvenation and created a wealth of choral and organ music during his career – much of it composed for friends and colleagues across the USA. The performances are led here by Jeremy Filsell, their present Organist and Director of Music, with additional accompaniment from Benjamin Sheen (Associate Organist) and Nicholas Quardokus (Assistant Organist), and the Saint Thomas Brass ensemble. The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys is considered to be the leading ensemble of its kind in the Anglican choral tradition in the United States. While its primary raison d’être is to sing five choral services each week, the Choir also performs regularly with Orchestra of St. Luke’s and New York Baroque Incorporated as part of Concerts at Saint Thomas. Over recent years, the Choir has toured throughout the US, Europe and Scandinavia with performances at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, King’s College, Cambridge, Dresden and at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. The boy choristers make frequent appearances on local and national television programs. Jeremy Filsell is one of only a few virtuoso performers as both pianist and organist. He has appeared as a solo pianist in Russia, Scandinavia, New Zealand and Australia and throughout the USA and UK. He combined an international recital and teaching career with being director of music at the Church of the Epiphany and then of St. Alban’s in Washington DC, Artist-in-residence at Washington National Cathedral, and Professor of Organ at the Peabody Conservatory (Baltimore), before moving to New York in April 2019 to become Organist & Director of Music at the Church of Saint Thomas, Fifth Avenue. -
One of Britain’s most popular contemporary composers, Patrick Hawes, has teamed up with the excellent Voce Chamber Choir of Connecticut to create an album of twenty brand-new Christmas choral works. Specially written for the choir, the first collection and album title, sets words by Patrick’s poet brother Andrew. The Nativity, for unaccompanied choir, moves through the Christmas nativity scene exploring the drama of this momentous moment in human history. For the second collection, Patrick has set Four Christmas Motets, the fragile ancient poetry giving rise to tender and heartfelt music for unaccompanied choir. The album goes on to explore the Christmas story through various texts, old and new, in works that are set to become extremely popular with choirs around the world. Composer Patrick Hawes says “Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year and it has been a joy to set such inspiring and dramatic words to music. The variety of texts - from ancient to modern – are all so relevant for today because they speak of eternal truths and the mystery of the Christmas story. I am thrilled with how Voce and their director Mark Singleton have brought a freshness of approach and musical excellence to their interpretation of this exciting project.” “This endearing set of Christmas pieces isn’t just music: it’s message, it’s poetry and celebration. Performed by an ensemble of a cappella voices in a traditional, strophic way, and with brilliant melodic figurations. It is worth highlighting, in this Christmas carol, the warmth and affection of the accompaniment of the organ by Stephen Scarlato.” – Sonograma Magazine "meticulously conceived across every perceptible dimension... this refreshing and restorative choral album showcases a remarkable array of synergies between traditional elements in a deceptively conservative idiom, namely Christmas choral music" - Classical Music Daily "'The Oxen' demonstrates how pleasing are Hawes' choral textures. The later aspects of the disk are no less interesting and fresh. And overall, this is both a splendid survey of Hawes; compositional élan, and his particular style. It is well worth having in one's library." - Organists' Review -
Its title song-cycle, scored for folk-imbued ensemble and recorded with the acclaimed Nora Fischer, treats various aspects of the natural world as human characteristics. The Consolation of Rain is a moving reflection on loss and the restorative power of nature, while Cymbeline draws on ancient religious attitudes to the sun. Written for mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital, the work takes its name from an old Celtic word meaning ‘Lord of the Sun.’ Bruce has achieved global recognition as a composer, celebrated for his richly colourful, poetic, and joyful music. Recent commissions include the BBC Proms, Carnegie Hall, Covent Garden, and Glyndebourne. -
Pianist Alexandra Dariescu presents a reimagining of the classic ballet tale of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, with Alex herself taking the role of Clara, now a little girl longing to fulfil her dream of becoming a pianist. Alexandra performs extracts from the ballet in transcriptions by luminaries including Mikhail Pletnev and Percy Grainger, interspersed with narration from TV presenter Lindsey Russell in a new version of the story by Jessica Duchen.
The lavish book-bound release includes illustrations by Adam Smith, adapted from Yeast Culture’s cutting-edge digital animation that accompanies the show’s live performances.
A pleasant and entertaining experience for children - Gramophone The perfect Christmas disc for tiny humans - BBC Music Magazine -
Joseph Nolan marks his 10th release on Signum Classics with a recording on the remarkable 1738 Christian Muller organ of St Bavo in the Dutch city of Haarlem. Housed in one of the most spectacular organ cases in the world, the instrument's renowned clarity of tone makes it perfectly suited to Reubke's Sonata on the 94th Psalm, which forms the heart Nolan's programme alongside works by Bach, Buxtehude and Mendelssohn.
British-Australian organist and choral conductor Dr Joseph Nolan has been hailed by ABC Classic FM as ‘an extraordinary musician’, by BBC Radio 3 Record Review as ‘Magnificent’ and by Gramophone as ‘perceptive and intensely musical’. A nominee for Artist of the Year, Limelight Magazine also awarded Joseph its coveted ‘Recording of the Month’ for his ninth disc for Signum Records from St Etienne du Mont, Paris (SIGCD470), the church and organ of Maurice Duruflé – the first time in the history of the magazine that an organ disc has been awarded this distinction.
★★★★★ Reubke's Sonata on the 94th Psalm rings out here with robust brilliance - Choir and Organ A wonderful accomplishment - Gramophone This could well prove to be the organ disc of the decade - Music Web International -
Harpsichordist Jane Chapman explores The Oriental Miscellany – William Hamilton Bird’s 1789 collection and arrangement of Hindustani airs for harpsichord. Bird’s collection, which was the first ever publication of Indian music notated for Western instruments, also features his own Sonata, incorporating original Indian tunes with flute accompaniment (here performed by baroque flautist Yu-Wei Hu).
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‘Psalms are at the heart of our choir’s musical identity. They inform everything else we perform – technically, musically and emotionally. They are the best medium for a choir to communicate directly with members of a congregation. The Chapel at St John’s is a perfect space in which to sing psalms’ - Andrew Nethsingha ★★★★★ ''Beauty of sound is to the fore in liquid, blended voices flow seamlessly in and around each other, in clarity of diction and exquisitely modulated delivery...Excellent, extensive notes round off a relishable recital" - Choir and Organ ★★★★ Performance, ★★★★★ Recording "[Nethsingha's] insistence on crisp articulation pays major dividends in a feisty reading on Psalm 52, where the come-uppance of the boastful tyrant is relished by the St John's singers" - BBC Music Magazine "The really remarkable thing is how much feeling they pour into the phrasing and the words so that each Psalm isn’t just a heartfelt prayer, it’s a miniature drama…The really wonderful thing is the choir’s diction. It’s so clear…Andrew Nethsingha’s shaping of every phrase is wonderful…The recording team captures the acoustic of the chapel as expertly as they always seem to on these St John’s releases, and the organ is blended perfectly with the voices" - Musicweb International -
Following Tom Lehrer’s decision in 2020 to release almost 100 of his songs into the public domain (for anyone to perform and adapt without permission) The Queen’s Six take up the offer with relish in this album of a cappella renditions of his “catchy and savage musical satire”. Based at Windsor Castle, the members of The Queen’s Six make up half of the Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel, whose homes lie within the Castle walls. This rare privilege demands the highest musical standards, as they sing regularly for the Royal family at both private and state occasions. In 2018 this included the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, held in St George’s Chapel. Most significantly however, it is the familiarity of living and singing together in Chapel every day that lends this group its distinctive closeness and blend, as well as an irresistible informality and charm."Those who love the music of Thomas Lehrer cannot help but succumb to the charms of this disc, which is a thoroughly worthy successor to the recordings by these singers of more expected repertory" - MusicWeb International
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This recording presents a selection of some of the most well-loved works for the horn. Titled The Romantic Horn, the works highlight the lyrical gems of the European repertoire for the instrument, with works by Beethoven, Schumann and Scriabin. Richard Watkins is one of the most sought-after horn players of his generation. He was Principal Horn of the Philharmonia Orchestra for twelve years, is currently a member of The Nash Ensemble, and is a founding member of London Winds. His extensive discography includes recordings of concertos by Mozart, Malcolm Arnold, Reinhold Glière, Ethel Smyth and Colin Matthews, as well as Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante and chamber music for horn by Schumann, Schubert and Poulenc. Pianist Julius Drake lives in London and specialises in chamber music, working with many of the world’s leading artists, both in recital and in the recording studio. He performs regularly across the globe, in venues that include include Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Berlin's Philharmonie, and New York's Carnegie Hall; and festivals such as the BBC Proms and Salzburg Music Festival. Performance ★★★★ Recording ★★★★★ Passing moments of earthly good humour [are] embraced with alacrity - BBC Music Magazine ★★★★ An enjoyable recital, well recorded - Classical Music Magazine Watkins’ rich, singing tone is complemented by Drake's lively pianism - The Sunday Times Leaves an unmistakable impression that these two distinguished platers are certainly having a lot of fun - Gramophone -
The Sacred Veil - a project led by Eric Whitacre and Charles Anthony Silvestri - was created following the passing of Charles’ wife, Julia in 2005. It represents a journey towards the answer for many questions, including whether departed loved ones are truly gone, and how can we mourn those we have lost whilst still moving forward? In Charles’ own words, the project became “a significant part of my journey toward healing and wholeness after great loss.” Poet, author, composer, and speaker Charles Anthony Silvestri has worked with other artists from all over the world to create texts tailor-made for their commissions and specific artistic needs. He enjoys the challenge of solving these creative problems and has provided custom choral texts, opera libretti, program notes and other writing for composers including Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo, Kim Arnesen, and Dan Forrest, and for ensembles ranging from high schools to the Houston Grand Opera, from the King’s Singers to the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, from Westminster Choir College to Westminster Abbey. Grammy® Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre is one of the world’s most performed living composers. His works have been programmed worldwide by millions of amateur and professional performers, while his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united singers from over 120 different countries. Eric, a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music, is presently Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, following five years as Composer in Residence at the University of Cambridge, UK.As conductor of the Eric Whitacre Singers, he has released such chart-topping albums including Light and Gold and Water Night. In high demand as guest conductor, he has drawn capacity audiences to concerts with the Netherlands Radio Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Flemish Radio Choir, and Minnesota Orchestra. All downloads include booklets. -
A trio of leading British solists perform a sumptuous selection of chamber music by the Romantic composers Brahms, Chopin, Schubert, Schumann and Strauss. The programme is centred around Schubert’s iconic The Shepherd on the Rock – written for the esteemed soprano Anna Milder- Hauptmann, it was to become virtually the final complete work that Schubert composed before his tragic death at 31.★★★★ There are some lovely performances on this disc, with Tynan, Bliss and Glynn combining to make some real magic in the Schubert and Strauss - Planet Hugill ★★★★ They offer arrangements with the clarinet by Julian Bliss and Lieder with a delicious evening feeling, like in the light of candles - Ritmo -
The programme performed here by baritone Christopher Maltman and pianist Joseph Middleton was born whilst Maltman was studying at the Royal Academy of Music. The compositions have been selected to form a coherent but flexible narrative that produces a touching memoire to all those affected by war. One composer chosen for the record, George Butterworth, was a casualty of the First World War: in September 1915 he went to the trenches and was killed, aged 31, in the Battle of the Somme on 5th August 1916. The use of his composition, A Shropshire Lad, is touching in this instance. It gives the listener a more sensitive perspective of the loss in World War One, almost allowing the listener to see the faces of those who passed away, most of whom were young ‘lads’ from various parts of the country. -
Arlen was a Jewish composer, originally from Austria who escaped Hitler’s invasion into Vienna. His family was persecuted, and lots of his family were murdered or committed suicide as a result of the holocaust, which inspired a lot of his compositional writing. When he escaped to the US where he lived with family friends, Arlen entered songs in a competition, winning first prize. This allowed him to live, study and work as amanuensis with Roy Harris. Through Harris he was introduced to famous composers of the day (such as Schoenberg, Mahler etc) and wrote for the Los Angeles Times as music reviewer for many years before committing to his own compositional works, both of whom have had additions made by conductor Kenneth Woods, with Arlen’s permission. "Really fine contributions from the three soloists...this is well worth investigating" - Gramophone "This is an inspired score, in which the three soloists give off an extraordinary aura: the sumptuous voice of Thomas Mole, the elegant voice of mezzo-soprano Anna Huntley and the fleshiness of tenor Gwilym Bowen's voice. At the head of the extraordinary English orchestra and the magnificent voices of the women in the chorus, there is Kenneth Woods, an erudite and affable conductor who creates welcoming sound environments - instrumental and vocal." - Sonograma "These profound poems are not easily rendered in musical terms, and it is to Arlen’s credit that he goes a considerable way to achieving this" - Acana -
One of the UK’s leading choral directors for over 50 years, Stephen Wilkinson MBE has led both professional and amateur choirs across Europe, and is particularly renowned for his work with the BBC Northern Singers and the William Byrd Singers of Manchester. Only retiring from conducting in 2009 at the age of 90, Stephen Wilkinson’s songs span the breadth of his long career as a conductor and musician, and are best described by his daughter Clare – an acclaimed mezzo-soprano herself who also performs on this recording – as being “a unique voice, yet deeply rooted in the English song tradition of Finzi, Gurney and Quilter.” Performed by British singers Mhairi Lawson, Clare Wilkinson, James Gilchrist and Matthew Brook, they draw on texts by a wealth of sources including Auden, Yates, Coleridge, Shakespeare and many more. Highly persuasive English lyricism… a worthwhile labour of love - The Guardian There are fine things here…. strikingly original…. rooted in textual detail - Gramophone Drawing on texts from the likes of Auden, Yates, Coleridge and Shakespeare, this is a must for devotees - Northern Echo The English song tradition continues to bear fruit [and] Wilkinson takes his place in the canon - MusicWeb International -
Contrapunctus concludes its exploration of the music preserved in John Baldwin’s partbooks with a third album dedicated to this remarkable treasure house of English sacred music, the richest single source of Tudor polyphony to survive. This third recording opens a window on a striking aspect of the history of the English motet, and one that has been neglected: the penchant in England for setting Latin psalms as motets, the so-called ‘psalm motet’. These texts offered rich opportunity for vivid musical response, given their nature as personal and impassioned addresses to God, and led to Richard Sampson – Dean of the English Chapel Royal under Henry VIII – describing the psalms as ‘the sweetest songs’. The principal English composers born between the 1510s and the 1530s all contributed to this genre of motet, but to a significant extent this fascinating repertory has lain in obscurity and remains unfamiliar to modern audiences. More than half of the works on this album are premiere recordings, and they include such glorious motets as Robert White’s Domine, non est exaltatum, William Mundy’s Memor esto verbi tui, and John Sheppard’s Confitebor tibi Domine. Contrapunctus’s trademark combination of ground-breaking scholarship and performances that are ‘revelatory and even visionary’ (BBC Music Magazine) here brings to light and to life some of the finest musical survivals of the Tudor age."Contrapunctus are in cracking form here. Owen Rees’s direction is sharp and incisive.... An exquisite album" - Gramophone (Editor's Choice)"An exquisite album of early music from Contrapunctus, concluding a superb survey of works from the Baldwin Partbooks, a major collection of Tudor Church Music" - Gramophone -
THE TRAVELLER for choir, children’s choir, orchestra, tenor, violin and speaker. The Traveller was the third in a series of four major works with words by Vikram Seth and music by Alec Roth, com- missioned jointly over four years by the Salisbury, Chelsea and Lichfield Festivals (2006-09). Each work featured the violinist Philippe Honoré as soloist, and each took a different geographical/cultur- al area as its starting point. EARTH AND SKY for children’s choir and piano (with optional percussion). Earth and Sky was commissioned by the BBC for the Proms 2000 season. In keeping with the millennial theme, a work presenting a vision of the future was requested. Trying to be helpful, the BBC provided me with a video containing the predictions of various experts, but their ideas seemed dizzyingly contradictory. -Alec Roth Ex Cathedra has performed Alec’s music in over 200 concerts since 2007. There have been large-scale commissions and recordings and many short ‘gems’. It is of consistently high quality with moments of absolute genius. The relationship continues to flourish. "Engineer Mike Hatch, working with producer Adrian Peacock, has achieved excellent results. All the various elements in each score – singers, soloists, instrumentalists – have been captured clearly and realistically by the microphones and a convincing balance has been achieved…This disc, featuring excellent performances, is a welcome addition to the representation on disc of Alec Roth’s music." - Musicweb International "Instantly accessible music with an Eastern twist…rhythmically catchy musical packaging" - BBC Music Magazine -
During his journey to circumnavigate the globe Sir Francis Drake took four viol players with him, who played both for his devotions and to the native peoples around the world that they encountered. Fretwork have commissioned British composer Orlando Gough to recreate this remarkable journey in sound, in a work for viol consort that combines music from 16th century England with the ‘sounds’ that these musicians would have heard and perhaps tried to recreate on their journey – from the rebab and the gamelan to the mesmerising chanting of the Native Americans. The result is a musical narrative of one of the most significant achievements of the English golden age and an evocation of the earliest musical encounters between east and west. This premiere recording is interspersed with narration from The World Encompassed, one of the first literary accounts of the journey, read by Simon Callow. -
The Choir of the West is the premier choral ensemble of the Department of Music at Pacific Lutheran University, located in Tacoma, Washington. The choir was founded in 1926, and was the third Lutheran college choir to tour extensively throughout the United States. Choir of the West has toured to Europe, Scandinavia, Japan and China, and has been selected to appear at several regional and national conferences of the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. In November of 2015 the choir was a featured ensemble at the National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference, held in Portland, Oregon, performing with renowned conductor Simon Carrington. During the summer of 2011, Choir of the West competed among choirs from 47 nations at the prestigious Harmonie Festival in Lindenholzhausen, Germany, winning two gold certificates and one silver. In 2015 the choir competed in the Anton Bruckner Choir Competition, held in Linz, Austria. This record celebrates the music of Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. One of the most sought-after composers of today, Ešenvalds studied both in Latvia and the UK. He has had works premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which have won him many awards. All downloads include booklets. -
Los Angeles based string quartet The Calder Quartet releases an album of works by Thomas Adès, including the British composer’s first ever work for string quartet, Arcadiana; The Four Quarters (World Premiere Recording) and Adès’s single movement Piano Quintet with Adès himself at the piano. A series of ingenious and alluring snapshots. The Calder Quartet perform all three with energy and sensitivity. Highly recommended - Financial Times Fine recorded sound as well; this is music and performances that repay repeated listening - BBC Radio 3 CD Review The players of the young American quartet seem so inside this music they might have been playing it all their lives - Classical Music Magazine -
FANTASIA is Fretwork’s eleventh release with Signum Classics, and explores the court music of tudor Eng- land through the works of Thomas Lupo. A very large quantity of Lupo’s private and intimate viol consort music has survived, and we can marvel at its variety and quality. He wrote for unique combinations of viols in his three-part Fantasies, however the five- and six-part fantasies are his most impressive work, seri- ous and compelling pieces showing a fabulous command of counterpoint. In 2021, Fretwork celebrated its 35th anniversary. In the past three and a half decades they have explored the core repertory of great English consort music, from Taverner to Purcell, and made classic recordings against which others are judged. In 2022 Fretwork plan visits to Germany, Spain and France. There will also be a collaboration with The Kings Singers and new works from Sir James MacMillan and Roderick Williams. Gold Diapason D'Or "An intelligent arrangement of the pieces and Fretwork's ability to inhabit each measure with fullness gives this music a charm, an ever-renewed interest. The indisputable sureness of the bow of the five British gambists, the exemplary polyphonic clarity of their approach nourish an obvious pleasure in playing…Fretwork paints these changing moods with a sober, subtle and above all sensitive touch…this intense disc constitutes a magnificent tribute to a talented figure in the golden age of the English consort" - Diapason ★★★★★ Performance ★★★★★ Recording "The style is light and breezy - buoyed by lithe, dancing rhythms, gracefully articulated…Throughout the consort's sound is luminous and so finely balanced that even in the more intricate contrapuntal works individual lines remain lucid." - BBC Music Magazine "This is a delightful collection of pieces…Fretwork here play with evident enjoyment and the recording is good…Fans of viol consorts need no encouragement; others would find this a good place to start" - Musicweb International