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A work bringing together performers from across the globe, the Lim Fantasy of Companionship for Piano and Orchestra is an engaging and heartfelt work that explores disruptive technologies – the intersection between technology and humanity – in the form of robotics and AI, via music. The idea that human engineering of the inanimate may ultimately produce companions previously unimagined, brought to life in a Fantasy of Companionship composed by Manu Martin. -
The Temple Church is one of the most historic and beautiful churches in London. Situated between Fleet Street and the Thames Embankment, its recorded musical history extends back to its restoration in 1841, although a church has stood on the site for over 800 years. The modern choir is comprised of 18 boy choristers and 12 professional choirmen – an excellent opportunity for the choristers who receive singing and theory tuition as well as generous scholarships towards their education. The programme explores three fascinating and contrasting settings of the Te Deum: A stalwart of the church liturgy (first conceived as far back as AD 387), these settings span over 300 years of English music history, composed respectively in 1694 (Purcell), 1897 (Elgar) and 1944 (Howells). This disc is complemented by the release of James Vivian’s English Organ Music from the Temple Church. -
A stellar line-up of soloists, conductor, choir and orchestra combine forces in the re-mastered 2 CD set of Mozart's arrangement of Handel's much loved 'Messiah'. In April 1742, shortly after the first performance of Messiah in Dublin for the city's Charitable Musical Society, the Dublin Journal reported that the oratorio "was allowed by the greatest of Judges to be the finest Compostion of Musick that was ever heard". Sir Charles Mackerras continues the constantly evolving performance history of one of the world's most enduring masterpieces. Highly enjoyable - BBC Music Magazine -
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. -
Signum Records are delighted to present this world-class ensemble, led by trumpeter Graham Ashton. This group of talented New Yorkers have performed the works of James Pugh and Daniel Schnyder in concerts across the globe. The relationship between these two composers and the Brass Ensemble has developed far beyond mutual friendship and respect. Since the year 2000, when James Pugh first wrote "And Flights of Angels" for the group, the ensemble have seldom performed a concert without a selection of his and Daniel’s music. Both James and Daniel now write many pieces exclusively for these players, and have created a close and successful partnership, both on stage and off. The world of brass music is relatively under-explored, and James Pugh (Professor of Trombone at Purchase College, State University of New York) and Daniel Schnyder (Composer-in-Residence with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra) have specialised in a repertoire that is both fun, challenging and extremely versatile. A champion of brass ensemble music, Graham Ashton reformed the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble (GABE) upon relocating to New York in 1999. The ensemble quickly made its mark by drawing together an eclectic mix of Manhattan's most distinguished brass players from the Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and American Symphony. GABE made their New York début in 2000 at the 25th Anniversary conference of the International Trumpet Guild. [Ashton's] ensemble of Manhattan's finest brass players is, on this showing, as smooth and subtle as you'll ever hope to hear - Musical PointersThe Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble has produced an exceptionally fine recording ... beautiful, spacious, playful, and mysterious - International Horn Society Succeeds on every level: extraordinary musicianship, clear and sonorous recorded sound, fresh and interesting repertoire - The Brass Player -
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 -
Robert Quinney performs a stunning recital of works by Elgar on the organ of Westminster Abbey. Quinney has been Sub-Organist there since 2004, performing for a variety of celebrated occasions including the Royal Wedding in April this year. ★★★★★ Magnificent - The Daily Telegraph Performance ★★★★ Recording ★★★★★ Thoughtfully programmed, compellingly played, Quinney's Elgar entices - BBC Music Magazine ★★★★ The early Sonata in G (the only work here written for the organ) fares best of all, Quinney subtly exploiting its quasi-symphonic mien to good effect - Choir & Organ Magazine Signum Classics' recording is tremendously vivid across the whole spectrum and captures the Westminster Abbey atmosphere in all its blazing majesty - Gramophone -
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 -
This 3CD set comprises a selection of great albums by the Rodolfus Choir, made up of singers aged from 16 to 25 who have been chosen from past and present members of Eton College's summer choral courses for prospective choral scholars. The disc devoted to Francis Grier is an exceptionally fine one … The performances are generally excellent, so too the recordings - Musicweb International Recommended without reservation and, as they say, the further volumes are eagerly awaited - Musical Pointers -
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. -
Former King's Singer Bob Chilcott conducts a stellar array of his choral music, in a collaborative performance with the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir. Described by the Observer as “a contemporary hero of British Choral Music”, Bob Chilcott works tirelessly as a composer and choral conductor - August 2012 saw the first performance of The Angry Planet in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, and he has recently completed commissions for The Bach Choir, BBC Singers and National Youth Choir of Great Britain. -
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 -
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 -
Andrew Nethsingha and The Choir of St John’s, Cambridge present a tribute album to two former directors, Christopher Robinson and David Hill, who celebrate their 85th and 65th birthdays respectively. Taking the idea of new growth as a starting point, the album develops from the seed of a single treble line, gradually adding organ, then lower voices, a second choir (Yale Schola Cantorum), 150 additional singers, and eventually combining nearly 500 voices together (former members and friends of the college choir). The programme spans Hildegard of Bingen to a new commission by James Long (b.1987) and also includes works by three ex-St Johnians: Herbert Howells, Johnathan Harvey and Christopher Robinson. The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world, known and loved by millions from its broadcasts, concert tours and recordings. Founded in the 1670s, the Choir is known for its distinctive rich, warm sound, its expressive interpretations and its breadth of repertoire. ★★★★ Performance, ★★★★ Recording "An album of hope for recovery…well crafted and beautifully sung disc from The Choir of St John's College" - BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★ "The outstanding quality of the singing and playing is the reason to buy this recording. Even something as straightforward as Stanford's A Song of Wisdom is given a ravishing performance" - Choir & Organ "It is a full programme taking us from the ancient to the modern and with many highlights along the way…Anyone with a connection to St John's College will enjoy this collection as will all who appreciate Anglican choral singing" - Cross Rhythms -
William Byrd, favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, was a confirmed and practising catholic who worshipped in defiance of the Queen. His status and perhaps even his life was preserved thanks partly to the undeniable mastery of his music, and to the fact that he was careful to maintain an output of music appropriate for a Protestant Rite (simple and English) as well as a Catholic one (florid and Latin). Byrd was by no means the only major Catholic composer working in England during these years. Furthermore, there were English composers whose faith drove them to work abroad, as well as foreign composers who offered sympathy and encouragement to English catholics. Included in this latter category was the Flemish composer Phillipe De Monte who entered into a fascinating compositional correspondence with Byrd. Verses of Psalm 136 ‘Super Flumina Babylonis’ (containing many allegorical references to the plight of catholics unable to practice their faith openly) were set to music and exchanged, in what is now seen as an encoded message of mutual support and friendship between brothers in faith. Gallicantus are perfectly placed here to compare the works of William Byrd and Philippe de Monte - The Independent The singing is beyond exemplary: deeply felt, tenderly phrased, perfectly balanced, with the most profound understanding, seemingly bred in the bone - Choir & Organ The intensity of the music is reflected in Gallicantus's beautifully shaped performances - The Sunday Times In Mark Chambers, Gallicantus boast a countertenor 'lead' of near-flawless poise and eloquence - Gramophone -
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. -
Then is a one movement work for string orchestra with two viola soloists. It was composed in April 2025 by Joanna Borrett. Then has a strong feeling of narrative and the soloists are in dialogue with the orchestra throughout. “I chose to compose for viola because I felt that its unique sound would be ideal to express the sense of vulnerability in the music.The title - Then - is deliberately open to encourage performers, and listeners, to imagine that the story in the music is their own.” -
Jonathan Dove wrote There Was a Child as a tribute to a friend’s son who died tragically young. Filled with both joyous celebration and heartfelt emotion, it’s a big, warm-hearted modern masterpiece in the spirit of Britten and vaughan Williams – following in an evergreen english tradition and featuring the combined forces of the CBSO and CBSO Chorus, Youth Chorus and Junior Chorus with soloists Joan Rodgers and Toby Spence.
[Dove] has thus achieved the near-impossible: a work that commemorates an event which is surely every parent's darkest fear but which at the same time truly and positively fulfils the commissioner's brief, 'to celebrate' this young, short life - International Record Review Joyous, vibrant, passionate ... There Was a Child is a major addition to the choral repertoire - Financial Times Dove's adroit choice of poetry, orchestrated with imagination and humour, provides an endearing story of a boy through to adolescence, and although there is pathos it is never mawkish - Choir & Organ -
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. -
Formed in 2002, the award winning Lunar Saxophone Quartet has developed a reputation for their commitment to composer/performer collaborations, leading to dozens of commissions from a variety of different composers. Performances have spanned a wide range of occasions, from Bryn Terfel's 'Faenol Festival' and the Welsh BBC Proms, to live broadcasts on BBC TV and Radio.This new disc features a programme of newly commissioned works by some of Wales's youngest and most gifted composers together with those of more established figures.
Tann’s Some Of The Silence is inspired by a haiku [and] presents a world of calm and solitude - The IndependentThis is lyrical ensemble playing at its very best - Gramophone
Phenomenally talented saxophonists … As quartet performances go the ones captured here would be very difficult indeed to beat - Clarinet and Saxophone Society Magazine
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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 -
This album, Throwback to Dance, explores how composers turn to dance forms to carve out new paths: predominantly court dances, folk dances but also the more ‘modern’ waltz. The album is inspired by the charming meeting between Ravel and Grieg back in 1894, and looks at Grieg’s influence on Ravel, seldom documented, as well as that on Pejacević and Chaminade. ★★★★★ - “It flows from court and folk dances to the waltz, with Gavrić’s playing poised throughout. Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin is a gem” - BBC Music Magazine“Lovely programming and fine playing”– International piano"Gavrić speaks Ravel’s language as though it were her mother tongue. …It’s hard to imagine any aficionado of the piano not looking forward to hearing more of the artistic playing of Gavrić, whether she evokes dancing or singing, or simply makes music in her own inimitable style." - Gramophone
"Her Holberg Suite is a perfect performance… Beautifully played and presented" - Interlude
"The entire recital, given with brio and affection, is aimed at those with a spirit of musical adventure; an exceptionally stimulating issue" - Bryce Morrison, The Art of Pianists
"Play this at high volume when your neighbours are out." - The Arts Desk
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Tide Harmonic is a new work for small ensemble by the contemporary British composer Joby Talbot. With a compositional aesthetic that threads through his classical and concert works, this disc was born out of a collaboration with choreographer Carolyn Carlson originally entitled Eau. A piece for small ensemble of string quartet, percussion, harp and keyboards (celesta, piano and harmonium), Tide Harmonic is described by its composer as: “… a kind of water symphony that, rather than constructing a poetic or narrative programme inspired by man’s relationship with water, instead focuses on the substance itself, the forces that act upon it, and the energy that flows through and from it”. ★★★★ An engrossing concept album about water, evoked in its various elemental states across a five-part suite bookended with a brief orchestral torrent supplanted by the resonant ringing of Tibetan temple bowls - The Independent Talbot’s reputation as an accessible and enjoyable composer will certainly take no hits from this latest recording. It’s the antithesis of Boulez - MusicWeb International -
The Rodolfus Choir return to disc on Signum with a stunning new collection of choral works drawn from composers spanning over 500 years. Ralph Allwood MBE introduces the programme and the personal inspiration behind it: The concept of time is so rich that it has inspired a large body of writing and musical setting. This collection is a tribute to my father, because I learnt so much about time from him. Mathematician and philosopher, theologian, musician and physicist, he was fascinated by our perception of time, and he and I had many discussions about its nature. In a trivial sense, music traces the passage of time, but also, as with all events, manipulates it. A watch traces a different pattern of time during events. But who is to say that the watch is ‘right’. ★★★★★ If you want to hear young voices singing at their very best, with each line perfectly balanced, then this CD is a must - Choir & Organ Provocative, eye-meeting loveliness on this record from Ralph Allwood's Rodolfus Choir - Gramophone A rewarding sequence... a good recording as well - BBC Radio 3 CD Review -
Timelapse creates a space where sounds of the past and present collide to form a unique musical landscape. Although the pieces were written, in some cases, centuries apart and in culturally disparate eras, it is striking how much these contrasting works inhabit such similar emotional territory. Intriguing pairings of works by Rameau and Radiohead, Schubert and The Smiths, Adés and Grieg, Satie and Reich, compliment each other beautifully in the context of Timelapse. This recording by Orchestra of the Swan provides a place where notions of time and style have become irrelevant. "This is a disc which creates a timeless mix-tape which exists in a limnal world between minimalism and new classical, it leverages a tendency to remix and rework music but does so with intelligence. It is not a disc to put on and listen avidly to each track...but instead to simply put the disc on and allow yourself to float" - Planet Hugill "Enthusiastically [recommended]. There is a great need at the moment for music to soothe the fevered brow, and Timelapse is an effective playlist fulfilling that function every time you listen to it" - Arcana FM "One of the most impressive shifts of perspective is LePage's arrangement of Johnny Marr's There is a Light that Never Goes Out, its energy becalmed by the disc's final offering, the second of Gorecki's Three Pieces in the Old Style, itself a perfect melding of old and new...As beautifully recorded as it is played, this is a ravishing 66 minutes of music" - Classical Explorer -
With a voice that stirs the soul and a story that inspires millions, Tom Ball continues his extraordinary journey with the release of his latest single, Timeless - a soaring, cinematic masterpiece that blends orchestral elegance with heartfelt emotion. -
400 years ago, in 1623, England lost two of its greatest composers: William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes. In a pro- gramme marking this double anniversary, The King’s Singers and Fretwork turn their focus to the bold personalities of these two men, Will and Tom. Featuring well-known gems by the two composers, alongside works which had never been recorded before and which are rarely heard live, Tom and Will unlocks some of the humanity behind these two giants of Elizabethan music. Presented in The King’s Singers’ unique style, this programme is filled with beauty, drama and storytelling. As part of this project, The King’s Singers and Fretwork have commissioned two new works for their joint forces, by two of Britain’s great living composers: Sir James MacMillan and Roderick Williams. These works only feature in the version performed by The King’s Singers and Fretwork, but represent a commitment to keeping the spirit of Byrd and Weelkes alive in today’s musical landscape. ★★★★★ "Fretwork and the King’s Singers are a wonderful match and complement each other well. As a lover of Byrd and Weelkes’ music, this is a great album; but for someone who has yet to encounter the joys of Weelkes or Byrd this album is a glorious introduction to both composers" - Morning Star ★★★★½ ALBUM OF THE WEEK "There could be no better bedfellows than The King’s Singers and viol consort Fretwork…Signum’s engineering suitably captures the domestic scale of the music, and the enthralling mix of finely blended voices with the gritty sonic patina of the viols…a classy tribute" - Limelight ★★★★ "The standard is high…a bonus comes in the form of two new pieces, commissioned from James MacMillan and Roderick Williams" - Financial Times -
Tomás Luis de Victoria's requiem mass for six voices, written in 1603 and published in 1605, is a masterpiece. It is one of a handful of large-scale works which enjoys mainstream appeal in the 21st century. For many, it represents what Renaissance polyphony is, what it sounds and feels like, and how expressive it can be. The disc also features two well-known works by Victoria's contemporary Alonso Lobo. ★★★★ "Victoria’s Requiem Mass is one of the acknowledged masterpieces of Renaissance choral polyphony, and Tenebrae here exquisitely conveys the flowing relationships between its six voices" - The Independent ★★★★ "Tenebrae’s performance, directed by Nigel Short, is gently sustained, immaculately balanced and wrapped in a luminous acoustic … If you have ever developed a resistance to Renaissance polyphony, this could be the disc to make you think again" - The Financial Times "This recording does justice both to the genius of Victoria and to the musicality of Tenebrae" - BBC Music Magazine "This is a definitive modern Victoria Requiem, performed by a choir who relish its musical and expressive challenges" - Classic FM -
Featuring two new operas from composer Emma O’Halloran, with librettos by Mark O’Halloran Irish National Opera present Trade and Mary Motorhead. Featuring singers Oisín Ó Dálaigh, John Molloy (Trade) and Naomi Louisa O’Connell (MM) the Irish National Opera Orchestra are conducted by Elaine Kelly. TRADE In a guesthouse in Dublin’s north inner city, a vulnerable and confused young rent boy sits with a middle-aged client. The older man has blood on his shirt. A lot has happened since the two last met. Mary Motorhead: Mary Motorhead has been locked in a prison cell after stabbing her husband in the head with a 12-inch carving knife. While he lies in intensive care, Mary reflects on the events that have brought this turbulent rural marriage to such a crisis. ★★★★★ - "Ultimately, it's the razor-sharp combination of emotional directness and complexity that compels the audience to step into the characters' lives in all their fury violence, savage loneliness and agonisingly tender love." - BBC Music Magazine “Rarely, if ever, does every element - score, text, singers, instrumentalists, conductor, director, sets, costumes, lighting, sound design—all come together. This is that rarity.” - Los Angeles Times “Emma and Mark O’Halloran’s complex opera double bill Trade/Mary Motorhead is remarkable” - Irish Independent "Tenor Oisín Ó Dálaigh and bass-baritone John Molloy simply astonishing throughout." - The Arts Review -
Troubled Times: Music and Espionage in Renaissance England explores sacred music written amid the religious and political instability of 16th-century England. Performed by The Queen’s Six with The Rose Consort of Viols, the programme examines how composers navigated shifting allegiances, censorship, exile, and suspicion, from the Henrician Reformation to the Elizabethan settlement. Works by Byrd, Taverner, Morley, Philips, Ferrabosco, and others reflect strategies of adaptation, concealment, and survival, whether through recusancy, foreign travel, or service at court. Placing music within its historical context, the recording highlights the complex relationship between faith, power, and artistic expression during a period of sustained upheaval. 9/10 -“The vocal blend is excellent… crystal clear.” - CrossRhythms -
Praise for Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Romances: Four stars “And while this is a very classical, traditional recording, it can please because of the virtuoso and technically flawless playing of the soloist” – Pizzicato His third album with Signum Records, internationally acclaimed violinist Charlie Siem is joined again by celebrated pianist Itamar Golan for their second recital album performing works by Grieg and Vaughan Williams, including a transcription of ‘Solveig’s Song’ by Siem himself. Charlie Siem is one of today’s foremost young violinists, with such a wide-ranging diversity of cross-cul- tural appeal. Siem has appeared with many of the world’s finest orchestras and chamber ensembles, includ- ing: the Bergen Philharmonic, the Camerata Salzburg, the Czech National Symphony among many others. For more than two decades, Itamar Golan has been partnering the most outstanding instrumentalists of our time. His work has brought him great critical acclaim, and he is one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, collaborating with Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov, Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky among many others. ★★★★★ "This fascinating coupling works exceptionally well, more so in such excellent performances…beautifully recorded by Andrew Keener…those who are both attracted and intrigued by this thoughtful coupling can purchase this disc with full confidence" - Musical Opinion ★★★★ Performance ★★★★★ Recording "[Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 2] The central Allegretto tranquillo deftly balances a gentle nostalgia with spurts of zesty temperament, while the finale sparkles with the influence of Norwegian folk dance. Siem's moody transcription of 'Solveig's Song'…rounds off a stimulating recital" - BBC Music Magazine "Plenty of grit in this unusual sonata programme…His playing is wild and assertive in the Scherzo…the double stops lend a gritty, Prokofievian strength and determination…Itamar Golan matches him in assertiveness and power…Siem brings a melancholy tinge to the expressive melodies and exults in the joyful dances…there is gentle, expressive beauty to his Alegretto tranquillo" - The Strad -
British violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen – described by the late Ruggiero Ricci following a masterclass as the “most exceptionally gifted young violinist I have ever encountered” – adds to her already prodigious reputation with a new disc of timeless works for strings by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar. Joined again the the Orchestra of the Swan under David Curtis, the centre piece of the programme is an enchanting performance of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending. Her sense of line and capacity to make things happen are both beautiful and strikingly individual ... The Lark Ascending's opening solo searches out an extreme degree of musical space in a way that's at once daring and mesmerising - BBC Music Magazine Superlative performances of Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending ... Highly recommended - Northern Echo This double homage to strings and English composers is engrossingly good - Sinfini Music -
Tenebrae return to the sublime music of Tomás Luis de Victoria on Signum with this recording of his timeless Tenebrae Responsories. The works mix the words of the Gospels with other texts commenting on collective suffering written around the 4th century, and would traditionally have been performed as part of a moving service in which candles are slowly extinguished to mark the progress and suffering of Christ that forms the Passion story.Tenebrae's previous disc of works by Victoria (Requiem Mass, 1605) won the BBC Music Magazine Award for Best Choral Album of 2012.
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In the 1970s the Bevan Family Choir, consisting of 10 siblings under the direction of their father Roger Bevan, released an album of choral music and toured the country, even making a documentary for ITV. Now, some of the children of those singers – 15 of the 53 first cousins…are set to release their debut album with conductor Graham Ross. The album is a celebration of their musical heritage and contains works by Stanford, Victoria, Palestrina, Tallis, David Bevan, Lobo and more. ★★★★ THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2023 SO FAR "[A] lovingly curated selection of works for voices… All received performances of exquisite subtlety and clarity" - The Times ★★★★ "The sound is rich and strong…I loved it…the blend is faultless…an album of joy" - Opera Now ★★★★ Performance "[Bevan's Magnificat] Lovingly performed. They are particularly good at strongly textured works…the works with intricate polyphony are pleasingly performed" - BBC Music Magazine -
Early music consort Contrapunctus return to disc on Signum for the second release in their series centred on music of the Baldwin Partbooks (In the Midst of Life, SIGCD408). John Baldwin was a member of the choir of St George’s chapel, Windsor, and his transcriptions during the 1570s and 80s create one of the greatest surviving collections of Marian polyphony, composed during the reigns of Henry VIII and Mary Tudor. This volume explores texts celebrating Mary as mother of God, and on the Virgin and her Child.Contrapunctus, led by Owen Rees, couple powerful interpretations with pioneering scholarship. Currently Vocal Consort in Residence at Oxford University, the ensemble’s first two recordings, Libera nos and In the Midst of Life, were both shortlisted for the Gramophone Early Music Award. -
Her third recital album on Signum Records, celebrated soprano Mary Bevan returns with a selection of French songs, featuring works by composers including Britten, Ravel, Debussy and Faure. “Over the years since the release of my debut album Voyages with Joseph Middle- ton in 2017, my passion for French mélodie has grown and deepened...The texts that composers of mélodie have set to music contain a depth and a mystery that I find fascinating and a source of repeated inspiration... My idea for the album began sim- ply with a desire to record Britten’s Les Illuminations, a work I feel closely connect- ed to, having performed it many times over the years and each time having found something new in it to interest me" - Mary Bevan The Week: The Best Albums of the Year so far ALBUM OF THE WEEK "A terrific disc…she is superbly supported by Joseph Middleton, 12 Ensemble and the Ruisi Quartet" - The Week ★★★★★ Performance ★★★★ Recording "Bevan and the conductorless 12 Ensemble move as one organism as she glides mesmerisingly over their ebbing and flowing pulse. The heart of the recital, though, is a radiantly searching performance of Britten’s Les illuminations…Bevan’s ability to combine warmth with refreshing vigour is to the fore in Chausson’s Chanson perpétuelle and the Debussy songs grouped by Holloway as Quatre mélodies de Verlaine. Her effervescence in Augusta Holmés’s delectable Serenades, another first recording, provides a sunny conclusion that perfectly balances the opening luminous nocturne of Fauré’s Clair de lune." - BBC Music Magazine ★★★★ "Refreshing…succulent, instrumental colouring…Warm, round tone and persuasive phrasing" - The Times ★★★★ "[Les Illuminations] Romping energy and shimmering brilliance of the performance by Bevan and the strings of Ensemble 12…Bevan has becoming a real master of French song; her diction is impeccable even in the most agile and rapid songs, and her singing in the quieter songs has a delicious tenderness and intimacy - as does the playing by pianist Joseph Middleton, Ensemble 12 and the Ruisi Quartet. In all this CD is a wonderful introduction to the perfumed, erotically charged world of French song at its height" - The Telegraph