22 June 2022
Ludwig Van, Canada
Ries: Piano Trio & Sextets
Studio Master: CDA68380  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘These performances clearly brought much pleasure to members of the Nash Ensemble, among them violinist Stephanie Gonley, violist Lawrence Power, clarinettist Richard Hosford and cellist Adrian Brendel. The two pianists—Benjamin Frith and Simon Crawford-Phillips—lead the line with an enthusiasm verging on recklessness. It makes you wonder if this is the kind of joy that music awoke in the informal 1820s gatherings of London’s Philharmonic Society’ (Ludwig Van, Canada)

20 June 2022

Dove, Weir & Martin (M): Choral works
Studio Master: CDA68350  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘This is a very fine disc indeed. The choir is on top form throughout; clearly James O’Donnell has prepared them thoroughly for the assignment and then conducted them superbly. Peter Holder’s organ playing is marvellous throughout. The recording is excellent. The seasoned team of producer Adrian Peacock and engineer David Hinitt have captured the performances thrillingly, with the Abbey’s organ heard in all its splendour but never overwhelming the singers … besides giving further proof of the excellence of the music-making at Westminster Abbey, this disc also confirms that terrific music is being written for the liturgy in the opening decades of the twenty-first century. That in itself is a cause for celebration’ (MusicWeb International)» More
19 June 2022
Early Music Review, Richard Turbet
Mouton: Missa Faulte d'argent & Motets
Studio Master: CDA68385  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘The entire performance of the Missa Faulte d’argent, which forms the second half of this programme, epitomizes all that is currently best in the performing and recording of Renaissance choral music. Every note is clear. Every melodic line is audible and can be followed in each part without difficulty by the listener. Every harmonic interaction, be it in the weaving and occasional clashing of melodic lines or in homophonic passages, is perfectly weighted. Tempi and volumes are calibrated to respond sensitively to the text and to the sound made by the music itself, so that there is never bland perfection nor emotional exaggeration, and the music and its text can be expressed as rhetoric or narrative, to inform, edify and delight the listener … we can be grateful for this second recording by The Brabant Ensemble of motets and a mass by Mouton—he has proved more than worthy of their (exceptional) further attention’ (Early Music Review)
15 June 2022
Artamag, France, Jean-Charles Hoffelé
Mendelssohn: Violin Sonatas
Studio Master: CDA68322  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

«Tout le Mendelssohn solaire est enclos en ces pages comme dans le piano vif-argent de Cédric Tiberghien et l’archet passionné d’Alina Ibragimova. Quel duo ! Après leur impressionnant parcours Mozart, complétissime !, pour le même éditeur, voici qu’ils explorent chaque note que Mendelssohn aura écrite pour leurs deux instruments ensemble … album parfait, qui vient régler la question de la discographie» (Artamag, France)» More
11 June 2022
ArtMuseLondon, Frances Wilson
Bolcom: The complete rags
Studio Master: CDA68391/2  2CDs Temporarily out of stock  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘After his sparkling C P E Bach disc, released on the Hyperion label in January 2022, Marc-André Hamelin, that fearless master of the piano who seems to be able to playing anything (and I mean anything!) moves seamlessly from the precision and clarity of early classical keyboard music to an album of piano rags, written over the last 50 or so years, by American composer William Bolcom … all are distinctive, appealing in their references back to Joplin’s model, but with multiple moods and harmonies, and brilliantly presented by Hamelin, who seems to really relish this repertoire (and if you didn’t know it, listening to him you’d never guess he’s a classical pianist—there’s a natural jazz insouciance to Hamelin’s playing throughout the disc). There’s wit and humour aplenty, tempered, when needed, by tenderness and poignancy, whimsy, much charm and ingenious invention. If you don’t know the music of William Bolcom, this disc should absolutely be your starting point. It’s a wonderful, revelatory, and, above all, really enjoyable listen from start to finish. Recommended’ (ArtMuseLondon)
10 June 2022
Presto Classical, David Smith
Bolcom: The complete rags
Studio Master: CDA68391/2  2CDs Temporarily out of stock  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Today’s Recording of the Week—the complete rags of octogenarian pianist-composer William Bolcom, clocking in at a little over two hours—might sound intimidatingly niche, perhaps of interest only to devotees of this particular genre. Nothing could be further from the truth; Bolcom’s twenty-six rags run a gamut from exuberance to introspection, from humour to expressions of deep pain and grief. And who better than Marc-André Hamelin to perform them? … Hamelin responds perfectly to the changing shifts of mood and emotion in Bolcom’s multi-faceted exploration of the ragtime genre, clearly illustrating its variety and adaptability. No wonder Bolcom has never quite managed to kick this particular musical habit!’ (Presto Classical)» More
9 June 2022

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Opp 106 & 111
Studio Master: CDA68374  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Angela Hewitt’s pianism is on an exalted level throughout both of these sonatas. I was enthralled by her performances and I also learned much from her insightful essay … an outstanding disc’ (MusicWeb International)» More
4 June 2022
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Bolcom: The complete rags
Studio Master: CDA68391/2  2CDs Temporarily out of stock  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Bolcom's notes describe his ragtime journey from beginning to end, and Hamelin's playing is delightful. It's sympathetic, witty, virtuosic—you can almost hear him grinning with delight at Bolcom's harmonic and rhythmic ingenuity … brilliant entertainment’ (BBC Record Review)
4 June 2022
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Hahn: Poèmes & Valses
Studio Master: CDA68383  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘The delicacy, fragility and suspended sound-world of Pavel Kolesnikov’s new recording is special, and his selection of the Rossignol pieces separated by the waltzes works really well. It’s a beautiful experience—subtle, mysterious, sometimes disorientating, abstract, intriguing—a little-known side of Hahn’s music magically presented here’ (BBC Record Review)
3 June 2022
colinscolumn.com, Colin Anderson
Bolcom: The complete rags
Studio Master: CDA68391/2  2CDs Temporarily out of stock  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘It’s a red-letter day to have William Bolcom’s Rags recorded as an entity, in great sound … Bolcom’s a fine pianist, too, so the writing is idiomatic, gratefully seized upon by Marc-André Hamelin who plays these upbeat, sentimental and whimsical, laidback and scintillating, unfailingly tuneful pieces not only with virtuosity but also insouciance and relish that transmits itself openly to the listener revelling in the sheer variety of Bolcom’s invention’ (colinscolumn.com)» More
1 June 2022

Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 1 & Moments musicaux
Studio Master: CDA68365  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Osborne works wonders as he renders the monstrously dense textures of the sonata pellucid and lends its meandering melodies direction, meanwhile giving the finale its full measure of infernal madness. Resisting every temptation to overplay, Osborne shapes confusion into dramatic purpose, lovingly enveloping the whole in imaginative insight … one is left wondering where, in the first quarter of the 21st century, one might turn for more idiomatic, more intelligent or more beautiful Rachmaninov-playing’ (Gramophone)
1 June 2022

Schubert: 21 Songs
Studio Master: CDA68169  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘This recital collects 21 of Schubert’s best-loved songs in an attractive bouquet of moods … there is much to enjoy here … every note is delivered with white-hot sincerity in Coote’s rich-toned voice … Drake’s piano similarly glows; he draws an exquisite sound from the instrument, the playing consistently elegant and restrained … the recording quality is clear and warm’ (BBC Music Magazine)» More
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