1 February 2008

Beauty and the Beatbox
Studio Master: SIGCD104  Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'Always recognisable, the Swingle Singers have appeared in various line-ups over the years. Added to the mix this time is vocal percussion where all the sounds come from the voice or parts of the body—it's extraordinary. Beethoven, Purcell, Albinoni, Ravel, Mozart and the inevitable Bach are given the Swingle beat. I've never had any objection to this kind of treatment of the classics, but in spite of amazing feats of vocal dexterity continued listening becomes monotonous. Fun in small doses' (Choir & Organ)

1 February 2008

Gottwald: Choral arrangements
SIGCD102  Download only 

'Do his arrangements stand up well against the original? The answer is mainly yes. This is thanks to the persuasive performance of the young singers of the Rodolfus Choir, who do not blench at what is sometimes a formidable task' (Choir & Organ)» More
1 February 2008
Classics Today, David Vernier
The Golden Age
SIGCD119  Download only 

'The King's Singers as usual bring a freshness and vitality to their vocalism and a warm, welcoming quality to their sound that projects a certain 'personality' that not only makes listening easy, but brings substantial rewards as well' (Classics Today)» More
27 January 2008

Elgar & Myaskovsky: Cello Concertos
Studio Master: SIGCD116  Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'A freshness of approach and of sound makes Jamie Walton's reading of Elgar's Cello Concerto an appealing proposition, despite the crowded market. He sees this work not simply as an orgy of expressive indulgence; instead, he measures carefully its introspection. His approach is not distant, however, but typically balanced and unselfish. Under Briger's well-paced direction, the Philharmonia is perfectly acceptable, though its playing can lack precision. The less often recorded two-movement C minor Cello Concerto of Nikolay Myaskovsk—lyrical, nostalgic, regretful, it was composed in 1944 by this quiet but not compliant man of Soviet music—completes the disc' (The Sunday Times)
6 January 2008
The Independent on Sunday, Anna Picard
Vaughan Williams, Venables & Gurney: On Wenlock Edge & other songs
SIGCD112  Download only 

'A thoughtfully realised recital' (The Independent on Sunday)» More
1 January 2008

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 8 & 9
SIGCD110  Download only 

'Exceptionally clean textures again reflecting the outstanding acoustic qualities of the hall which is the home of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra. Clarity of texture is again an outstanding quality of the last two movements with the Scherzo bouncily sprung and the final fresh and incisive, building up to a powerful coda, with the final chord fading on a diminuendo as specified in the score. Altogether an excellent album, generously filled' (Gramophone)
1 January 2008

FiddleSticks
SIGCD111  Download only 

'The resulting works are vibrantly capricious, yet each delivers its respective logic with a sense of completion which makes for highly satisfying listening. These are enthusiastic performances with immaculate sonics: brilliant stuff' (BBC Music Magazine)» More
RECORDING
PERFORMANCE
1 January 2008
Classic FM, Andrew Stewart
Hughes: A Purse of Gold & other songs
Studio Master: SIGCD106  Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'Soprano Ailish Tynan's feeling for the musical idiom and, above all, the poetry of her countrymen, matched by Burnside's delightfully poetic pianism, prove irresistible. Highly recommended' (Classic FM)» More

1 January 2008
AllMusic, USA
Messiaen: Chamber Works
SIGCD126  Download only 

‘ 'A heart-stoppingly beautiful performance … listeners who love Quatuor pour la fin du Temps owe it to themselves to hear this stellar version' (AllMusic, USA)

1 January 2008

Metcalf: In time of daffodils
SIGCD103  Download only 

'These performances will not easily be bettered. Everyone sings and plays with conviction and commitment; and the whole is warmly, yet naturally recorded—a real pleasure from first to last' (MusicWeb International)
1 January 2008

Vaughan Williams, Venables & Gurney: On Wenlock Edge & other songs
SIGCD112  Download only 

'These are striking performances' (BBC Music Magazine)» More
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING
14 December 2007
The Guardian
Handel: Messiah
Studio Master: LSO0607  2CDs Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'The choral singing, from Tenebrae, is jaw-droppingly beautiful' (The Guardian)
More