1 April 2020
Opus Klassiek, Netherlands, Aart van der Wal
Feinberg: Piano Sonatas Nos 1-6
Studio Master: CDA68233  A Hamelin Celebration!  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'De Canadees Marc-André Hamelin … lijkt deze sonates (Feinberg schreef er zes) in het muzikale bloed te zitten. Zo speelt hij ze tenminste, vol overgave maar zonder overdreven opsmuk en ook in technisch opzicht imeesterlijk gerealiseerd. De warme pianoklank doet de rest' (Opus Klassiek, Netherlands)» More
1 April 2020

Feinberg: Piano Sonatas Nos 1-6
Studio Master: CDA68233  A Hamelin Celebration!  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Needless to say, the formidable technical demands of Feinberg's piano writing hold no terrors for Marc-André Hamelin who delivers absolutely riveting and immaculately-voiced performances of each work, supported by superbly clear but warmly recorded sound. This release deserves the widest dissemination’ (BBC Music Magazine)» More
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING
1 April 2020

Feinberg: Piano Sonatas Nos 1-6
Studio Master: CDA68233  A Hamelin Celebration!  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Hamelin does far more than tame these pianistic leviathans. He gives them momentum, character and individuality’ (Gramophone)
1 April 2020

Jančevskis: Aeternum & other choral works
Studio Master: CDA68328  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘On the evidence of this recording, [Jančevskis] has found subtle and authentic ways of furthering the distinctive sound of Latvian choral music established in the last century … few more beautiful realisations of Latvia’s choral language have come my way in the past decade … one wonders where that Latvian sound can go and what events will shape it. There’s plenty of time for Jančevskis, still in his twenties, to think on that’ (Gramophone)
1 April 2020

The Early Horn
Studio Master: CDA68289  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Monberg is demonstrably a master of the instrument. Even with the later invention of valves, the horn remains notoriously difficult to play, so with just a mouthpiece and bell connected by several feet of brass tubing, to make anything approaching an expressive sound is an achievement … if the quintet towers above the rest of the music here, it’s nevertheless fascinating to hear what was expected of the horn players of the time’ (Gramophone)
31 March 2020

The Early Horn
Studio Master: CDA68289  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Paludan Monberg is certainly a superb exponent on the natural horn, and is ever conscious of the musical context, fitting in well to the various instrumental ensembles. Often the horn dominates on purely dynamic terms (a natural consequence of the instrument’s design), but Paludan Monberg generously compensates for this with some astute musical blending with the players of Arcangelo and their ever-sensitive director, Jonathan Cohen’ (MusicWeb International)» More
30 March 2020

Feinberg: Piano Sonatas Nos 1-6
Studio Master: CDA68233  A Hamelin Celebration!  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Hamelin powerfully resolves all the technical complications and dramatic conflicts embedded in these intense works. He has been served by a splendid Teldex studio recording and his formidable readings offer much both to disquiet and, more fugitively, to move’ (MusicWeb International)» More
28 March 2020
Classics Today, Jed Distler
Brahms: The Final Piano Pieces
Studio Master: CDA68116  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘It would be rash, and indeed irresponsible, to claim this recording as the best that Stephen Hough has ever made, or the best version of Brahms’ late piano pieces ever released. Yet Hough’s complete technical mastery, fresh musical insights, and deep stylistic sympathy constantly yield revelatory results … if you want all of Brahms’ late piano pieces together, Stephen Hough crowns the list. Hyperion’s engineering captures the sonorous impact of Hough’s Yamaha grand from bottom to top, thereby clinching this release’s reference status’ (Classics Today)» More
25 March 2020

Dupont & Benoit: Piano Concertos
Studio Master: CDA68264  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Hyperion’s magnificent romantic piano concerto series continues with the 80th disc in the series, comprising two works for piano and orchestra by two Belgian composers who are all but forgotten these days … this is a superb addition to the series, showcasing two composers who really should be better known. The soloist and orchestra are on top form and, as usual, Hyperion’s recording is clear and bright. I can’t see how these works could be better served on CD. The cover notes are interesting, detailed and full of insights about these two very neglected Belgian composers … I also look forward to Hyperion’s next instalment in this wonderful ongoing series!’ (MusicWeb International)» More
23 March 2020
Classics Today, Jed Distler
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique & other works
Studio Master: CDA68324  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Since Thierry Fischer took over the reins as its music director in 2009, the Utah Symphony has not only thrived but blossomed, as its recent Mahler First Symphony and Saint-Saëns recordings bear out. The musicians certainly give their conductor everything he asks for in this generously filled all-Berlioz disc … Berlioz’s deft deployment of three choral groups in Sara la baigneuse provides an ideal showcase for Fischer’s supple and vividly characterized vocal forces … full texts and translations are included, along with superb annotations by Berlioz scholar David Cairns’ (Classics Today)» More
21 March 2020
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Allegri: Miserere; Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli; Mundy: Vox Patris caelestis
Studio Master: CDGIM639  Download only  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘A recording made forty years ago that redefined the sound of the piece [Allegri's Miserere] when it was released’ (BBC Record Review)
20 March 2020

Jančevskis: Aeternum & other choral works
Studio Master: CDA68328  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Latvian composer Jēkabs Jančevskis may well prove to be the next big thing in the fickle world of choral singing. His music has all the ingredients mixed choirs love so much; wonderfully warm and opulent choral textures, oodles of atmosphere, luminous clusters, powerful musical imagery, and a whole host of vocal and non-vocal effects to keep even the most world-weary choral singer engrossed … this is certainly a truly brilliant exhibition of outstanding choral singing, enhanced by a luscious recorded sound … by far and away the most powerful message I take away from this disc is of an imaginative composer with something worthwhile to say beyond the mere meaning of the texts he sets, and the means of saying it in a hugely arresting manner’ (MusicWeb International)» More
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