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Following the celebrated releases of Gunning’s Symphonies Nos. 2, 10 & 12 in 2019 and his concertos for Violin and Cello with the piece ‘Birdflight’ in 2020, Signum presents the recording of Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 as well as his piece ‘Night Voyage’, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Linked by the theme of journeying, Symphonies 6 & 7 explore Gunning’s fascination with a single movement form broken into several sub-sections. The piece ‘Night Voyage’ is a sea piece born on a rainy evening whilst the composer was standing on the edge of the Mersey river. Four-time BAFTA winning composer Christopher Gunning, has composed twelve symphonies as well as concertos for the piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and guitar. “Gunning’s [...] symphonies, numerous concertos and sundry orchestral pieces are as meticulously wrought as they are powerfully conceived.” - Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone -
Four-time BAFTA winning composer Christopher Gunning, has composed twelve symphonies as well as concertos for the piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and guitar. Here the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor Kenneth Woods, perform his eighth and ninth symphonies, recorded in Hoddinott Hall in March 2024. “Each scored for a moderately sized orchestra (the 8th has only one trumpet and no lower brass, while the 9th adds a second trumpet, a harp, and a small percussion section) and both [grapple], in Gunning’s highly individual way, with the legacy of classical symphonic form” - Richard Bratby. [9th Symphony] “I believe this piece has a strong emotional flavour but if you try and untangle the story you’re going to end up with your own story - and to me, that is absolutely perfect.” - Christopher Gunning. ★★★★ - BBC Music Magazine "This is well worth acquiring by those who are not yet acquainted with Gunning’s symphonic odyssey." - Arcana "This recording not only establishes Christopher Gunning as an essential symphonic composer of our time, but also confirms Kenneth Woods as one of the most refined and intelligent conductors in the field of contemporary music." - Sonograma “Gunning’s [...] symphonies, numerous concertos and sundry orchestral pieces are as meticulously wrought as they are powerfully conceived.” – Gramophone -
Christopher Gunning returns with recordings of his Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto and Birdflight. Not composed until 2011, Gunning's Violin Concerto was composed after inspiration whilst the composer was out hiking in Wales. The violin is supposed to represent ducking and weaving, rather like the insects and animals found in the Welsh hills and valleys. However, despite this positive venture for the composer, the emotions of sadness and melancholy are never far from this music - feelings which never seem far from Gunning's music. The Cello Concerto is quite different. Although composed hard on the heels of the Violin Concerto, it is generally darker though equally expressive. The third piece, Birdflight, is for the orchestra alone; a kind of tone poem. At the opening and close there is some quiet night music with spacious strings. The birds take flight but encounter a problem; a hawk is on their tail. The birds manage to hide and there is a pause. Then, when danger has passed, they take off and once again enjoy the sheer pleasure of flying. All downloads include booklets. -
Joining forces again for their second album on Signum Classics, duo JULIAN BLISS (Clarinet) And JAMES BAILLIEU (Piano) perform works by composer giants Clara & Robert Schumann. Many of the tracks on this recording are new arrangements by Bliss himself, and world premiere recordings. "Bliss exulting in the outgoing ring of his clarinet…provides immense pleasure" - Gramophone “Bliss and James Baillieu work very well indeed together, Baillieu discreet when needed, but so much more than just an accompanist.” -BBC Music Magazine -
Acclaimed Signum artist Alexandra Dariescu brings a new combination of concertos: Clara Schumann’s Concerto in A minor Op. 7 coupled with Grieg’s A minor concerto Op. 16. Alexandra Dariescu is a trailblazing pianist who demonstrates fearless curiosity and ground-breaking innovation. As part of her artistic journey, Dariescu has achieved gender equality in her concerto programming for three consecutive seasons, reviving and premiering important works by both male and female composers, championing inclusion and diversity. “I got to know Clara Schumann’s Concerto and fell in love with this youthful piece, full of dreams, fiendish virtuosity and a testament to what an innovative performer and composer Clara was, even as a teenager. [Recording these works] It made me realise once again what a responsibility we all have to show both sides of history, to mirror our society in concert programmes and to shine a light on the often-overlooked brilliance of women composers” – Alexandra Dariescu. ALBUM OF THE WEEK "Brilliantly performed" - Scala Radio ALBUM OF THE WEEK "A great performance...such a great listen. An exception recording" - Classic FM "[Schumann] A thoughtful and polished guide to this youthful, virtuosic concerto and her approach is hand-in-glove with conductor Tianyi-Lu...[Grieg] There's an authority and natural ease to her performance, matched by some lovely playing from the Philharmonia" - BBC Music Magazine "Dariescu sails through the more virtuosic moments of the Schumann with confidence and agility...she has a 'sensitivity and ear for colour' which shows up in the way she handles filigree and, even more, in the seductive way she coaxes out the quieter passages. The Romance at the centre of the Schumann, especially its closely measures, is exquisitely fine-spun; the opening of the Adagio of the Grieg is similarly alluring." - Gramophone "Dariescu succeeds in holding her own in the demanding piano part…enthusiastic and sublime in the Maestoso and [In the finale] an energetic tour de force…really exciting…brava!" - Piano News -
‘Close Harmony’ is the latest musical offering from Grammy Award winning and internationally acclaimed vocal group The King’s Singers. A combination of newly recorded works and tracks from their The Library EP series, the album takes a deep-dive into one of the most beloved and unique corners of their music library: the close-harmony arrangements. New arrangements feature from composers Daryl Runswick (such as an imaginative, exciting version of Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture) and John Rutter (Jerome Kern’s The Way You Look Tonight) showcasing the diversity of both their talent and the repertoire they present. ★★★★★ "The current line-up of King's Singers demonstrates their continued pre-eminence with these outstanding recordings of often very difficult arrangements…the Singers deliver with their usual mix of charm and skill" - Choir & Organ "All the characteristic features that constitute the unique King’s sound are here plentifully: the often complicated and thrilling arrangements, the technical and rhythmical expertise, the perfect homogeneity of the concerted singing, and the inventiveness. The songs in themselves are of course first class, but very often the arrangements ennoble them further into little masterpieces – and it is not just the technical wizardry that impresses. Many of the more lyrical songs are sung in simple six-part arrangements, so beautifully, so loveably...They are equally at home in every genre they approach...I recommend it with all possible enthusiasm!” - Musicweb International "A simple scan of the thirty-one songs reveals the immense breadth of the release...Close Harmony is that all-too-rare album where with every listen a new favourite emerges...It wouldn't be exaggerating to say that pretty much every track on Close Harmony will take its place at the top of one's playlist at some point...the six have developed a spectacular ensemble blend...there's no shortage of delights to enjoy on this encompassing, double- disc collection" - Textura -
Hertfordshire Chorus continue to build on their reputation for commissioning and performing some of the very best in contemporary choral music. In their first recording with Signum they are joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra for a 2CD set featuring James McCarthy’s Codebreaker (an exploration of the life of the pioneering computer scientist and mathematician Alan Turing) and Will Todd’s Ode to a Nightingale (setting the famous poem by John Keats). The BBC Concert Orchestra offer superb support to both composers and the engineering is up to Signum’s customary excellence. This important release should be in every keen choral singer’s Christmas stocking - Gramophone Splendidly recorded and performed… I give a thorough recommendation to this issue - Music Web International For me, this is undoubtedly the choral album of the year - The High Arts -
Pianist Malcolm Martineau brings together some of the UK’s finest singers for the third release in his series charting the complete songs of French composer Gabriel Fauré. This series follows Martineau’s well-received 5-CD series of The Complete Songs of Francis Poulenc. -
Gabriel Prokofiev’s famous first Concerto for Turntables reached a global audience when performed by Mr. Switch at the 2011 BBC Proms, under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski. It has since been performed 55 times worldwide, with the 5th movement being performed 20 times as part of the BBC’s Ten Piece’s project. The aim of the piece is demonstrate the main DJing techniques, with each movement showing off a specific one. Prokofiev’s Cello Concerto was composed in 2012 and is the third concerto he composed. It was the most conventional of his concertos, with the other two (at that point) being for Bass Drum and Turntables. Despite this, Prokofiev still manages to explore influences of electronic and dance music in the concerto, whilst also exploring the traditional lyrical side of the cello. All downloads include booklets. -
Founded in 1973 by Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert has been a leading light in the performance of Baroque and Classical music for for over 40 years. Under their present Artistic Director Harry Bicket and with distinguished guest artists they continue to perform with the passion, sophistication and technical mastery established at their creation.
Such is the commitment and passion that their players bring to every performance. Drawn not only from home-grown talent, The English Concert can boast a truly international cast of musicians. Soloists in their own right, and backed-up by scholarly knowledge of style and genre, the close-knit relationship between their musicians makes for a truly special blend of sound. This new recording features the talents of these soloists in performances of Concertii by Telemann, Marcello, Dall’Abaco, Tartini and Porpora.
Performance: ★★★★ Recording: ★★★★★ Here's that increasing rarity: A Baroque disc with no conceptual axe to grind, no over-arching theme - save for giving the members of The English Concert a concerto moment in the sun - and seemingly out to do little more than delight (which it does so in spades) - BBC Music Magazine [Harry] directs from the harpsichord, bringing both vitality and cohesion to the performances - Andrew Benson-Wilson A nice way to spend 70 minutes of your time - Gramophone -
Some of the most atmospheric music from the numerous Liturgical settings in Holy Week is that composed for the Office of Tenebrae. Victoria’s are the most well-known, but equally beautiful and arguably more dramatic are the settings composed by Gesualdo and Couperin. The Gesualdo is intense with the Couperin atmospheric, yet both compliment each other perfectly on another world-class recording from Tenebrae. Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), award-winning choir Tenebrae, under the direction of Nigel Short, is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles renowned for its passion and precision. These are Tenebrae’s core values and with their continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, Tenebrae’s vision is to deliver dramatic programming, flawless performances and unforgettable experiences, allowing audiences around the world to be moved by the power and intimacy of the human voice. All downloads include booklets. ★★★★ “Gesualdo is sung by six solo voices, wonderfully balanced and tuned to perfection, bringing out the rich idiosyncratic harmonies characteristic of the composer” - Choir and Organ ★★★★ “This is an ideal album for Holy Week reflections, respecting the power of the texts and it is a major sacred music release” - AllMusic.com “The singing of six members of Tenebrae (Doyle and Davidson the sopranos) is accomplished, snappy and defined with firm control of changing dynamics. Nigel Short shows a strong sense of mannerist storytelling...the way the words sometimes shout into the silence of the church is immensely powerful” - Gramophone “The sheer beauty and accuracy of Tenebrae’s singing is utterly persuasive. They’re named for this music, and occupying the shadows of Maundy Thursday from these two very different composers is a moving experience” - BBC Radio 3 Record Review -
Born in Weimar, Carl Philipp Emanuel (1714-88) was the fifth child and second surviving son of JS Bach and his first wife Maria Barbara. By his own account he had no other teacher for composition and keyboard except his father. Nevertheless, the majority of Emanuel’s earliest works owe more to the influence of Telemann and other exponents of the new galant style, while already suggesting his own progressive instinct. At the age of twenty-four, after seven years studying law, Emanuel decided to devote himself to music. In 1738 he accepted the position of keyboard player at the court of the Prussian crown prince – the future Frederick the Great. After nearly thirty years of royal service he left Berlin and moved to Hamburg, where he occupied the positions of Music Director and Cantor until his death. Described by the Guardian as a performer of “fearless intensity”, former ECHO Rising Star Tamsin Waley-Cohen has established herself as one of the most insightful and versatile young British violinists. Described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘in a class of his own’ James Baillieu has been the prize-winner of the Wigmore Hall Song Competition, Das Lied International Song Competition, Kathleen Ferrier and Richard Tauber Competitions. He plays these C.P.E. Bach compositions on a modern piano. -
Avant garde. Eccentric. A maniac. Wild and adventurous. Off the wall. Extraordinary. No marketing hyperbole - this is how the players of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment describe Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach and his music. One of the many children of JS Bach, CPE Bach always lived in his father’s shadow, and now is an almost unknown figure at least beyond the classical cogniscenti. How can such an unknown be considered a gamechanger? A listen to his music reveals just why – it constantly shifts, wrongfooting the listener when they least expect it with wild changes of direction and colour – it is bright, effervescent, and is a fascinating link between the music of his father (and the Baroque era) and Joseph Haydn (and the Classical era). ★★★★ It is the sense of adventure that comes across vivaciously here in a fusion of stylistic taste, smooth and supple phrasing and an exuberant thrust - The Daily Telegraph Editor's Choice: Self-critical perspective is clearly not a problem for these artists ... the unfurling description of of a lover's kisses permit all kinds of glorious opportunities for the singers' seemingly telepathic understanding for chiaroscuro, impeccable tuning and innate grammatical sense - Gramophone The OAE under Rebecca Miller play with an accuracy and passion that's infectious: this is among the most exciting, adrenalin-filled period instrument recordings you'll hear - The Arts Desk Symphonies that embrace the strangeness and originality of the writing as well as the beauty of some of the middle movements and the feistiness of the finales. Made live, but they’ve emerged in excellent shape - BBC Radio 3 Record Review The orchestra's playing here is bright, effervescent and fascinating – truly positioning C.P.E. Bach as the missing link between his father and the music of Haydn - Classic FM These energetic, committed performances of five symphonies dating from between 1757 - when Haydn was first writing in the genre - and 1780 show the period band has lost none of its verve and enthusiasm for this strange, dramatic music from the dawn of the "classical" era - The Sunday Times -
Their second album of 2025, and their 11th album with Signum Records, baroque giants La Serenissima return with an album of works by composers including Telemann, Sieber, Durante, and Brescianello. The album explores how their styles changed and developed as they ‘crossed borders’ between Italy, Germany, France and other European countries. ★★★★★ - “Once again, the ensemble La Serenissima convinces with an extremely determined, but never unloving articulation” - Fono Forum “Fascinating, poetically communicative, subtly virtuosic, thoroughly beautiful, this is my favourite La Serenissima album in some years.” - Gramophone "This is a peach of an album, put together with all the care and dynamism we’ve come to expect from this outstanding team." - Europadisc “With their usual interpretative exquisiteness and musicological rigor, La Serenissima offers a rich and varied listening experience” - Sonograma "This is a most enjoyable disc, which offers a nice mixture of familiar and little-known pieces in top-class performances. Don’t miss it." - MusicWeb International -
"Da Vinci Requiem brings together my chosen Latin texts from the Missa pro Defunctis with extracts from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, and is structured in seven movements in the shape of an arch... It has been a fascinating exploration, aligning Leonardo’s extraordinary insights, both artistic and philosophical, with such a profound and ancient text. Seventy degrees below zero is a three-movement work for chamber orchestra and tenor soloist. [Inspired by work carried out by the Scott Polar Research Institute], the phrase for the title was taken from Scott’s Letter to his wife: ‘Dear, it is not easy to write because of the cold – 70 degrees below zero’. The scientific exploration and data collected by Captain Scott’s team at the beginning of the 20th century still powerfully underlies the research which continues to this day. It was with a desire to join the past with the present that I asked the poet, Seán Street, to write two poems to accompany Scott’s words: words from ‘then’ and words from ‘now’.” - Cecilia McDowall Wimbledon Choral has been described as “one of the most substantial and formidable choirs in London ... a vigorous and sophisticated choral ensemble”. The choir is over 100 years old, re-founded in the early stages of the First World War, but its earliest recorded roots go back to 1870. Today we are a modern, dynamic group of singers, always ready to stretch ourselves and try new things, making sure we keep up our reputation as one of the finest amateur symphonic choirs in south-east England. ★★★★★ "Wimbledon Choral, one of the most enterprising amateur choirs in south-east England, acquit themselves with aplomb in the Requiem, with Neil Ferris drawing from them a well-focused sound. Soloists are top-notch, with Benjamin Hulett giving a fine account of Seventy Degrees" - Choir & Organ ★★★★ Performance ★★★★ Recording "Gently swirling, shimmering, beautifully orchestrated textures often imbued with devotional mystery…The Wimbledon Choral, for whom it was written, are impressive, with clear lines and luminous hush under soprano Kate Royal's magnificent soaring lines in the beautiful Agnes Dei movement, Roderick Williams is typically compelling…Tenor Benjamin Hulett captures the changing moods, from the hopeful excitement via anguish to resignation…The City of London Sinfonia are sensitive partners to the voices throughout, while conductor Neil Ferris should be commended for his judicious pacing and marshalling of all involved" - BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★ "McDowall's Da Vinci Requiem is a masterpiece. The performance here is compelling [70 Degress below Zero] forms a perfect musical coupling…especially in such a fine performance as this…The performances are uniformally excellent, as is the presentation of this important release" - The Organ -
Dance forms the final part of a trilogy of albums following the huge success of ‘Flight’ and ‘Seasons’. This project started as a concept album, using the title as the inspiration for the works. Though several of the works embrace the composer’s background collaborations in ballet, there are other works influenced by violinist Kerenza Peacock’s connection with folk music. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios the disc features Kerenza Peacock, pianist Huw Watkins and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Bateman.