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The international award-winning octet, VOCES8, has established itself at the forefront of British a cappella. Performing a repertoire ranging from Renaissance polyphony to unique Jazz and Pop arrangements, the group has been praised for stunning performance, exquisite singing and creating a sound that spans the entire range of vocal colour. VOCES8’s singing is faultless – jaw-droppingly so in places - The Arts Desk Invariably sophisticated and sensitively done - The Daily Mail Highly recommended - All Music.com -
A new album bringing classic carols to life under the expert direction of conductor and author Andrew Gant, marking the release later this year of his new book “Christmas Carols, from Village Green to Church Choir.” Everyone loves a carol - in the end, even Scrooge. They have the power to summon up a special kind of midwinter mood, like the aroma of mince pies and mulled wine and the twinkle of lights on a tree. It’s a kind of magic. In this new accompanying recording, Andrew Gant’s choir, Vox Turturis, bring these carols to life with captivating performances of classics such as The Angel Gabriel, Adeste fideles and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, as well as less-known gems like Célébrons la naissance, Les anges dans nos campagnes and Tempus adest floridum. The CD booklet also includes a short essay by Gant highlighting some of the fascinating stories behind these works. Christmas Carols brims with anecdote, expert knowledge and Christmas spirit. It is a fittingly joyous account of one of our best-loved musical traditions. The recording debut of Gant's youthful professional choir is a spirited one - The Sunday Times The acoustic of St Peter's College Chapel serves these singers well, and the recorded sound is glorious - The Arts Desk This is another well-planned and splendidly performed CD, eminently recommendable - International Record Review -
This brand new Christmas album from The King’s Singers features 25 tracks covering everything from contemporary choral gems and folk songs through to well-loved carols. Dotted throughout the album are several of the most famous English church carols, which take The King’s Singers right back to their earliest singing days, and which also reflect the group’s heritage at King’s College, Cambridge. In Christmas Carols with The King’s Singers, the group bottle that frosty, moonlit, fireside Christmas wonder and pour it into their sound. ★★★★ "What's not to love? It's a typically varied programme with reaches across the decades, performed with pitch perfect vivacity and no small amount of joy. Very glad tidings" - BBC Music Magazine "Distinguished by beautifully chosen repertoire and a vocal blend to tight and delicate it becomes a picture of the Christmas miracle itself. There is something untouchingly precious about the full a capella Once in Royal David's city and Berlioz's The Shepherds Farewell…never less than totally convincing…Perfection is not always what you want from a Christmas disc, but here it takes listeners to a special place" - Gramophone's The Christmas List "It is a fitting tribute, combining traditional carols with new ones…and all sung with those hallmarks of the King’s Singers’ sound; neat, precise, finely polished, with every note perfectly placed, every syllable beautifully enunciated, and every phrase deliciously moulded…there is a real sense of intimacy which gives a sincerely personal feel to the recording….luscious arrangements and gorgeously blended and balanced voices. Solos emerge from the group like branches spouting from a tree, and their easy delivery, all seem as natural as breathing…the overriding effect of this recording is of warmth and comfort…Cleobury would have loved it all; The King’s Singers have done his memory proud." - Music Web International "The six voices blend as only King's Singers can, all the arrangements are appropriate, and the a cappella singing is a joy throughout" - Cross Rhythms "In all the items, the groups familiar sophisticated sound creates an atmosphere at once distinct and recognisable" - Planet Hugill "Familiar carols share space with enticing rarities, and hearing just six voices gives the music a winning immediacy. Highlights include a rhythmically snappy version of “Gaudete!”, brilliantly arranged by founder member Brian Kay, and a joyous transcription of the Catalan carol “La filadora”, replete with bell effects...Gloriously recorded too" - The Arts Desk "The arrangements are, as always with this group, brilliantly chosen. The ending of Tomorrow shall be my dancing day is particularly inventive and effective…[O magnum nysterium] again a stroke of programming genius" - Classical Explorer -
Recorded Live from their spiritual home of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, The King’s Singers present an album of festive Christmas music, blending ancient and modern works with traditional favourites and new arrangements. The disc also features A Thanksgiving by former King’s Singer Bob Chilcott, which is performed here alongside the National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain. ★★★★ As usual with this eternally-renewing 49-year old ensemble, the technique is impeccable - The Times Absolutely draws you in… the group has thought so seriously about how to make its distinctive sound work for each piece - Gramophone The King’s Singers are as alluring as ever - The Sunday Times The King’s Singers in particularly fresh, spontaneous fettle - BBC Music Magazine A gorgeous setting of a thanksgiving text by St Richard of Chichester… lifts the disc into the realm of the slightly special - Music Web International This is mostly a commendably serious, brilliantly performed live recital… The King’s Singers current incarnation are in fine vocal fettle - The Arts Desk -
Christmas presents a golden opportunity to present brand new music to wide audiences, and the role played by St John’s College Choir in this area has been significant, as demonstrated by new recording of traditional and contemporary choral works. The recording features Michael Finnissy’s John the Baptist, written for the Choir for its BBC Advent broadcast in 2014. The programme begins with Bob Chilcott’s The Shepherd’s Carol commissioned by Stephen Cleobury (a former St John’s organ scholar) for King’s College Choir, and also includes Creator of the Stars of Night, composed by another former St John’s organ scholar, John Scott. The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge is one of the finest choirs of men and boys in the world, known and loved by millions from its recordings, broadcasts and concert tours. A cornerstone of the great English choral tradition since the 1670s, the Choir is recognised for its distinctive, rich and expressive sound and is today directed by Andrew Nethsingha.An evocatively sung collection from the Cambridge choir glowing with devotional joy - Choir and Organ -
Christopher Gunning has composed twelve symphonies, as well as concertos for the piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and guitar; many of these have now been recorded. He has also composed many scores for films and television dramas, including Agatha Christie’s ‘Poirot’, La Vie en Rose, Middlemarch, Cold Lazarus, Rebecca, Under Suspicion, Firelight, The Big Battalions, Wild Africa, When the Whales Came and Porterhouse Blue. With a career spanning 50 years, he has won 4 BAFTA and 3 Ivor Novello Awards, and BASCA’s prestigious Gold Badge Award. Christopher studied composition with Edmund Rubbra and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After a hugely successful career writing for the big and small screen he is now focussed on his classical work and releases. All downloads include booklets. ★★★★★ "The performances by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales sound splendid throughout, not just thoroughly well prepared and virtuosic, but full of relish and enjoyment also…Signum's sound is superlative and this is a disc I have been playing again and again (and will continue to return to). Strongly recommended" - Musical Opinion -
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’s Symphony No. 5 was composed during 2009 and was the composer’s most ambitious to date, in four extended movements. There is no strict programme, but the music moves through several phases which could be said to correspond to one’s journey from birth to death. The symphony is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Gunning’s sister Rosemary, who grappled with illness throughout the composition of the work, and died as he was completing it. The String Quartet No. 1 was composed in 1999, and revised in 2006. Each of the four movements is based on on a three note motif, C-D-G, with its four possible transpositions. The first is an arch-shaped passacaglia, and the second is a fast semi-fugal scherzo. The third is quietly expressive and the last is a bright rondo with ostinati based on the 3 note idea. 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. "He has a very firm control of the orchestra’s sound, brings out all of the symphony’s orchestral colors, and does especially well with the solo instrumentalists… All told, this disc should win new friends for the concert music of Christopher Gunning" - Music Web International ★★★★★" [Symphony No. 5] Gunning is an experienced conductor; the RPO plays beautifully for him and is excitingly recorded… [String Quartet No. 1] [Gunning] process of thematic development is even stronger in this piece. The Juno Quartet relishes the challenges impressively" - Limelight -
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 -
This disc represents a new orchestra partnership for Signum Records with The Orchestra of the Age of the Englightenment, one of London and the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles. Led by Robert Howarth, the recording was made at Kings Place following the orchestras successful 2010 tour of the work.
'Not all orchestras are the same,' runs the message on the cover, and it’s true: … a shimmering, captivating choral sound that seems to float effortlessly through the psalms - The Independent
What is impressive is the grammatical sense (underpinned by flexible accentuation) that the choir brings to the projection of the words in Dixit Dominus and at many other places. Also, as we might expect, the instrumentalists are terrific - BBC Music Magazine In a word it is magnificent … this is one of the most enjoyable I have heard in recent years - MusicWeb International -
‘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.