1 December 2024
Fono Forum, Germany, Burkhard Schäfer
Queen of Hearts
Studio Master: CDA68453  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

„Sorgfältig zusammengestellte Programme und exquisite sängerische Darbietungen—das sind die Markenzeichen von The Gesualdo Six … intensiver, schöner und besser kann man die Lieder kaum singen“ (Fono Forum, Germany)
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING
1 December 2024
Fono Forum, Germany, Reinmar Emans
Queen of Hearts
Studio Master: CDA68453  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

„Gerade mal zehn Jahre alt ist das reine Männerensemble The Gesualdo Six, doch flankiert ihren Weg schon eine Reihe von hochwertigen Einspielungen, die vor allem wegen ihrer Homogenität, Ausdrucksstärke und Farbigkeit allgemein gelobt wurden. Alle diese Attribute bietet auch „Queen of Hearts“ … Ein schönes und abwechslungsreiches Programm, das wieder einmal die Qualitäten des Ensembles in ein strahlendes Licht setzt“ (Fono Forum, Germany)
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING
1 December 2024

The Frans Brüggen Project
Studio Master: 4870642  Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Whether solo, joined by HIP stalwarts such as violinist Rachel Podger or accompanied by the always marvellous Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century (which Brüggen co-founded), Horsch is as sensitive to each instrument’s idiosyncrasies as she is to the demands of the music, her effortless virtuosity and stylish phrasing, articulation and ornamentation a veritable Recorder Fancyer’s Delight’ (Gramophone)
1 December 2024

Unplayed Stories … in 40 Fingers
Studio Master: CDA68459  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Another enjoyable curiosity: a programme of works for two pianos—with four or eight hands—performed by the MultiPiano Ensemble with the Berlin Radio SO conducted by Ivor Bolton … [the ‘Wanderer’ Fantasy] is tremendous fun, and the performance is winning … what could in less sensitive hands be quite a racket [the Schubert/Pauer marches] is a delightful way to end an enterprising project—these are all first recordings of these versions’ (International Piano)
27 November 2024

Unplayed Stories … in 40 Fingers
Studio Master: CDA68459  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘These are energetic and vivacious readings. That can be said of all the excellent performances on this disc. It is a mixed bag but it is also a delightfully engaging programme brought to life by the extremely adept and idiomatic playing of both orchestra and soloists. The programme recreates something of a concert tradition that is rare indeed nowadays and I hope that the Multipiano Ensemble can unearth more of the same’ (MusicWeb International)
24 November 2024
NDR Kultur, Germany, Christoph Vratz
Boccherini: Cello Concertos, Sonatas & Quintets - Music of the Angels
Studio Master: CDA68444  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

„Steven Isserlis macht vom ersten Moment an klar, dass es ihm vor allem auf eine gesangliche Darstellung ankommt. Dabei entstehen einige äußerst poetische Momente … Das Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment unterstützt den Ansatz des Solisten in allen Belangen. Es spielt sehr fein und agil und zeigt, dass Boccherinis Kunst des Gefälligen viele unterschiedliche Schattierungen kennt … Die neue Aufnahme zeigt Luigi Boccherini als einen in den unterschiedlichen Besetzungen sehr wandlungsfähigen Komponisten. Das macht dieses Album erfreulich kurzweilig, zumal sich Steven Isserlis als ein ebenso kundiger wie kultivierter Führer durch diese Klangwelten erweist“ (NDR Kultur, Germany)
23 November 2024
Early Music America, USA, Karen M Cook
A monk's life
Studio Master: CDA68447  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘The Mass is a tour de force of Obrechtian counterpoint, with all sorts of interesting versions of the cantus firmus showing up throughout; the reduced textures at the beginning of the Gloria are particularly appealing, and the startling dissonance at the end of the Pleni sunt coeli is beautifully crunchy … with regard to musicological prowess, musical skill, and personal sentiment alike, it’s an album well worth a listen’ (Early Music America, USA)
23 November 2024
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
The Frans Brüggen Project
Studio Master: 4870642  Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Fascinating for anyone interested in Brüggen’s legacy, all these fragile instruments from the 1680s to the 1740s, but it’s a box of treasures musically and the playing of the musicians—from violinist Rachel Podger to Brüggen’s own Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century—is always a delight. It’s a great tribute’ (BBC Record Review)
22 November 2024
Klassisk, Denmark, Thomas Michelsen
Beethoven: Hammerklavier
Studio Master: CDA68456  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'Det var efter alt at dømme 1800-tallets store klavervirtuos, Liszt, der gav den første offentlige opførelse af ’Hammerklaversonaten’. Hvordan det lød, kan vi kun gætte på. Men intet er vanskeligt for canadieren Hamelin, og under den nutidige mesterpianists fingre bliver Beethoven til flydende, perlende lethed. Det er en moderne luksusklangverden, Hamelin åbner' (Klassisk, Denmark)

22 November 2024
Daily Mail, Tully Potter
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 4, 5 & 6
Studio Master: 4854637  2CDs Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘From Nordic climes comes a prime package of Shostakovich … under the brilliant young Klaus Mäkelä, who finds the angst at its core … [the] Fifth Symphony gets a rampaging performance … the sound is splendid’ (Daily Mail)» More

21 November 2024
The Spectator, Damian Thompson
Beethoven: Hammerklavier
Studio Master: CDA68456  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Hamelin’s spidery fingers, which can untangle the knottiest textures at the speed of light, produce a fugue of gleaming clarity. Meanwhile the self-effacing contours of his giant slow movement build to a devastating climax; less is more. The coupling is predictably dazzling: Beethoven’s earliest finger-twisting showpiece, the Op 2 No 3 Sonata’ (The Spectator)
19 November 2024
The Strad, David Threasher
Boccherini: Cello Concertos, Sonatas & Quintets - Music of the Angels
Studio Master: CDA68444  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘The craftsmanship of Boccherini’s music is absolute, with everything held in perfect balance, extremes skirted and dramatic ferment studiously avoided … the sequence closes with Boccherini’s greatest hit … here all Boccherini’s virtues are on full display: easy melodicism, harmonic sweetness, exquisite string textures and a personal sound world’ (The Strad)
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