Diana Boyle’s Mozart is special: recorded after years of deep thought and reflection on the spirit of the music, her touch is deft, light and delicate, well balanced and never disfigured by harshness. Fast passages trip along while the slower parts are wonderfully expressed. We believe this to be a landmark interpretation essential for even those who know (or think they know) these works inside out.
Label: Divine Art
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Cantica Sacra
Sacred choral works for the 21st century but steeped in the tradition and style of centuries past. Composer LYDIA KAKABADSE is English born but with roots in Greece, Austria, Russia and Georgia, all of which inspire her music which is a fluid mix of the western and Orthodox choral styles.
A perfect album for the choral music lover wanting a new sound but within traditional tonal (and modal) limits.
Performed by former members of Clare College choir, who have gone on to their life-after-graduation, taking with them the Choir’s excellent and ever-growing reputation as one of the finest English choirs of our day. Joined for ‘Spectre’ by mezzo-soprano Grace Durham and instrumental ensemble.
More from Lydia Kakabadse: Chamber music on ‘Concertato’ and choral and vocal music on ‘Ithaka’
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Sonnets, Airs and Dances
British composer Philip Wood writes in a beautifully lyrical and melodic style which is totally accessible, Here his work is profiled by top soloists in vocal and chamber works of great variety.
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Psallite
A superb programme of choral works based on or inspired by Psalms, with items from the 16th century and many new works specially commissioned by SDG Music Foundation as part of their worldwide Psalms Project.
Delightfully varied including awesome arrangements of African-American spirituals as well as a range of contemporary works by composers from several countries, this album displays the excellent qualities of Cor Cantiamo. It will appeal to anyone who loves good singing whatever their religious beliefs!
Booklet includes all the texts.
Cor Cantiamo also present the gorgeous choral works of James Whitbourn on DDA 25192 -
Concertato: Chamber Music by Lydia Kakabadse
British composer Lydia Kakabadse (with roots in Greece, Austria, Russia and Georgia) reflects her cultural heritage in music that has western and mid-Asian elements – while this is strongest in her choral music, it is heard to good effect in her chamber works, which are often written in modal intonation; her first chamber CD was issued by Naxos to good reviews and this set concentrates on the ‘alternative’ string quartet line-up with double bass, with one piece for cello and bass duo and one for mezzo-soprano and quartet. The title ‘Concertato’ derives from the usage in baroque music meaning a rivalry or contrast between the instruments; the composer uses this to emphasis lines and dialogues between instruments, especially so in the cello/bass duo which gives the CD its name.
Sound collective is a group of distinguished musicians which works closely with composers, writers and educators in order to build new ways of appreciating and promoting chamber music.In 2019 it was renamed The Rossetti Ensemble.
Performers: Jess Dandy (mezzo-soprano); Sara Trickey (violin); Sarah-Jane Bradley (viola); Tim Lowe (cello); Ben Griffiths (double bass)
Also by Lydia Kakabadse – choral and vocal music:
Cantica Sacra
Ithaka -
Lunaris – Music by Jonathan Östlund
A super showcase album of piano and chamber music from talented Swedish composer Östlund, performed by a select group of leading young European performers. Evoking the magic of night in all its guises from the dark to the whimsical this always lyrical and accessible new music has an individual sound and is exceptionally attractive. Some works include wordless voices from the soprano.
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Burkard Schliessmann – Chronological Chopin
For this album, Schliessmann received a Silver Medal in the 2017 Global Music Awards A potential (definite!) Collector’s item for the future, is this wonderful recital by leading German pianist Burkard Schliessmann, who presents Chopin’s musical development through a chronological programme including the 24 Preludes, Op. 28, the complete Scherzi and Ballades and other works, in stunning high-definition audio. This triple SACD set is in 5-channel audio, but is fully compatible with all normal CD players. In two channel sound in digital download.
Schliessmann is the perfect interpreter of Chopin, bringing out the inner character of the pieces. A landmark recording.
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Mersenne’s Clavichord
Not one example of an original French clavichord survives. The instrument played on this historically important recording is a new construction following the specifications published by Marin Mersenne in the 17th century. It’s therefore the only example of how early French keyboard music may have actually sounded to the first audiences. A range of works from the 16th and 17th centuries are presented, all French except the well known Toccata by Sweelinck, whose music was prevalent around France at the time.
Also by Terence Charlston is The Harmonious Thuringian (DDA 25122).
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Roman Statkowski: Piano Music
One of the most brilliant successors to the Romantic genres popularised by Chopin, yet hardly known outside Poland, Statkowski’s music is full of sparkling energy, rhythmic vitality and a mass of wonderful melodies. For anyone who loves the classical romanticism of the mid to late 19th century, Statkowski is a composer to be checked out and investigated in depth.
The virtuoso Polish pianist Barbara Karaskiewicz has championed Statkowski’s music for some time, and has a close affinity with the music. With formidable technique in the glittering fast passages she is the ideal interpreter.
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John R. Williamson – Music for Piano, Volumes 1-3
The music of John R. Williamson, a composer from Manchester, England, is deserving of greater recognition. Murray McLachlan is a champion of Williamson’s music and presents three albums in which his stylistic and virtuosic playing enhances further the individuality of these works.
Includes the following:
- John R. Williamson Music for Piano, Vol. 1
- John R. Williamson Music for Piano, Vol. 2
- John R. Williamson Music for Piano, Vol. 3
Digital downloads include all three booklet in PDF format.
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Schubert: The Unauthorised Piano Duos, Volume 3
A fascinating and historically consequential recording, which follows the enthusiastic praise of the earlier volumes in this intriguing series. Here, we have firstly the world premiere recording of the ‘Death and the Maiden’ Quartet, transcribed by Robert Franz, better known for his lieder and who was almost contemporary with Schubert (he was 18 years younger).
Even more exciting is the first ever recording of the transcribed version of the ‘Unfinished’ Symphony – but also in its complete new 2014) performing edition; the first two movements were transcribed by Schubert’s friend Hüttenbrenner; the third completed from Schubert’s part-finished movement by Anthony Goldstone, and the finale (also known as the Entracte from Rosamunde), transcribed by Friedrich Hermann with further adaptations by Anthony Goldstone. Essential listening.
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Charles Avison: Collected Concerti Grossi & Keyboard Sonatas
The Avison Ensemble with Pavlo Beznosiuk & Caroline Balding (violin), Gary Cooper (harpsichord), Robert Howarth (harpsichord & chest organ)
25% off the price of individual purchases!
5 Double CD sets comprising:- DDA 21210 Concerti Grossi after Geminiani
- DDA 21211 12 Concerti Grossi, Opp. 9 & 10
- DDA 21213 Concerti Grossi after Scarlatti
- DDA 21214 Keyboard and Trio Sonatas, Opp.1 & 8
- DDA 21215 Harpsichord Sonatas, Opp. 5 & 7
Award winning and highly praised recordings of wonderful baroque music: all but DDA21213 are first-ever recordings
All downloads include booklets in PDF format.
