Classical Music

Classical Music

Originally released in 2001, ‘Gibbons: The Woods So Wild’, played by keyboardist John Toll and awarded by ClassicsToday its top rating of 10/10 when first released, is now re-issued as part of Linn’s ECHO series. The 24 pieces on this recording are illustrative of the core of the ‘golden age’ Elizabethan repertoire. The Fantasias are the most remarkable group of pieces, the ones where Gibbons best displays his contrapuntal skills and influential techniques. John Toll was an organist and harpsichordist with a reputation for excellence in the field of early music who sadly passed away in 2001.

In 2006 the Scottish Chamber Orchestra celebrated Mozart’s 250th birthday with this special release of Wind Concertos performed by the section principals of the Orchestra. Austrian conductor Alexander Janiczek was the ideal choice to lead the orchestra in the well-loved repertoire of his fellow Austrian. Alison Mitchell performs the Flute Concerto; its charming melodies and elegant phrasing belie Mozart’s claim to dislike the instrument. Written when Mozart was just eighteen, the Bassoon Concerto allows soloist Ursula Leveaux to showcase the full range and expressivity of her instrument. Maximiliano Martín gives a virtuosic performance of arguably the most famous of these three showpieces, the Clarinet Concerto. Written in 1791 for a Stadler clarinet, which extended the instrument’s lower range by four notes, Martín has adapted the text of the first edition (published with the solo part adapted to suit an ordinary clarinet) to make the best use of the clarinet’s lowest register as Mozart intended.

James Gilchrist’s latest Linn recording encompasses three of the greatest examples of the song cycle genre, Robert Schumann’s Liederkreis, op. 24 and op. 39, and Dichterliebe, op. 48. James Gilchrist is sought after for operatic roles, ensemble performances and as a respected, and frequent, lieder recitalist. His musical partner Anna Tilbrook is one of Britain's most exciting pianists, with a considerable reputation in song recitals and chamber music. She made her debut at Wigmore Hall in 1999 and has since become a regular performer at Europe’s major concert halls and festivals.

Originally released in 2007, James MacMillan’s ‘Tenebrae’ is now available once again as part of Linn’s ECHO re-issue series. Tenebrae Responsories is scored for vocal octet and speaks to all of every faith and none, of the power of love and redemption through personal sacrifice. The famed Scottish group Cappella Nova has enjoyed a 25-year association with MacMillan. ‘Tenebrae’ was previously chosen a Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ album. Mr. MacMillan’s international career was launched at the BBC proms in 1990 with The Confession of Isobel Gowdie.

Classical Music

Master Mozartian Gottlieb Wallisch explores the rich concerti repertoire of his fellow Austrian in "Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 12, 13 & 14, " the third in his acclaimed series of recordings. Bright young string ensemble, the Piatti Quartet, joins Wallisch to perform Mozart's own rarely-heard chamber orchestrations.

Classical Music

"Carol Kidd’s sophomore album, originally released in 1991 Includes gems such as Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone and Georgia on My Mind From the beginning of Carol's impressive career, her albums were extremely well received With a career in jazz spanning half a century, Carol Kidd is widely recognised as ‘Britain's finest ballads singer' (Jazz Review). She has been named Best Vocalist at the British Jazz Awards on four occasions and has been awarded the MBE for Services to Jazz"

The twelve volumes comprising The Complete Songs of Robert Burns remain the benchmark of all Burns songs recordings. This groundbreaking series took seven years to complete and involved over 80 musicians. Encompassing ballads and bawdy songs, patriotic and political anthems plus songs which bring Scottish people and places to life, these volumes touch all aspects of human nature and represent a vigorous folk tradition past and present. ‘...a delightful cornucopia of excellent, often hauntingly authentic performances.’ (BBC Music Magazine)

Classical Music

Import Hybrid-SACD pressing.

‘Handel: Operatic Arias’, originally released in 2005, saw soprano Emma Bell perform with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, directed from the harpsichord by Richard Egarr, in her second Linn recital disc. + The well-chosen extracts sample the whole of Handel's London operatic career, from his first (Rinaldo, 1711) to his last (Deidamia, 1741), and demonstrate his (and the singer's) wide range of moods, from defiance to resignation, from love to the wilder shores of hatred. + ‘Bell stamps her bold artistic mark on a group of peerless Handel arias. Magnificent stuff. 5 stars.’ (Classic FM)

Young flautist Katherine Bryan is rapidly establishing her place as one of Britain's bright musical stars. For her second recording on Linn, the in-demand concerto soloist performs a selection of 20th century concertos plus Debussy's Syrinx and Frank Martin's Ballade. Bryan has with leading orchestras worldwide and is principal flautist with the RSNO.