20 September 2020
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Dunhill & Erlanger: Piano Quintets‘[d'Erlanger's] quintet dates from 1902, and I rather fell for the quiet depths of the second movement … rewarding performances of both works by Piers Lane and the Goldner Quartet’ (BBC Record Review)
19 September 2020
colinscolumn.com, Colin Anderson
Shostakovich: Cello Concertos‘Between them, Alban Gerhardt and Jukka-Pekka Saraste do a grand job on behalf of Shostakovich’s two Rostropovich-centric Cello Concertos (Opuses 107 & 126), the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra (WDR) also proving to be a protagonist of distinction … these are inspired performances’ (colinscolumn.com)
» More11 September 2020
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Schumann: Arabeske, Kreisleriana & Fantasie‘Such tenderness in the opening movement [of the Fantasie]—Schumann's deep lament for Clara—then more extrovert but never flamboyant; deeply thought and felt from beginning to end … I was captivated by it under the peculiar circumstances of our first 'live' broadcast from Wigmore Hall last year, but the magic is in this studio recording as well, and it's a well-balanced sound. The intimacy and every mercurial change of colour and mood in Schumann's Kreisleriana; less volcanic than some, perhaps, but Hough doesn't have to shout to make his musical points. The opening Arabeske is a deliciously understated way to start as well. It's Schumann from the top drawer … my Record of the Week’ (BBC Record Review)
7 September 2020
Classics Today, Jed Distler
Musique?‘Put simply, I’ve rarely encountered such a wide ranging, provocative, intelligently curated, effectively paced, and brilliantly performed program of contemporary harpsichord music’ (Classics Today)
» More5 September 2020
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Lobo (D): Masses, Responsories & motets‘Rare Portuguese polyphony from a Portuguese vocal ensemble … Luís Toscano directs his ensemble Cupertinos. It's a different sound quality to The Tallis Scholars or the other professional Brits that do this kind of repertoire—soprano lines slightly forwards, lighter bass—a slightly dark, distant recorded sound that works very effectively … three major first recordings’ (BBC Record Review)
1 September 2020
Classica, France, Jorge Morales
Palestrina: Lamentations«Cet enregistrement est une véritable prouesse esthétique et musicale … après leurs éblouissants enregistrements de Willaert (2010) et Lassus (2015), les chanteurs de l'ensemble Cinquecento accomplissent de nouveau un travail musical exceptionnel, redonnant ses lettres d'or à ce répertoire méconnu» (Classica, France)
