Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Beethoven's euphoric Symphony No.9, like his symphony No.5, is one of those pieces of classical music which transcends the barrier between musical genres - one of the few pieces of the classical canon in the popular consciousness. Few can fail to be uplifted and caught up in the joyous Ode to Joy finale. For this performance, recorded live at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1994, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment were joined by the renowned conductor and long-time collaborator, Sir Charles Mackerras, a partnership between him and the OAE that lasted almost a quarter of a century. This is Signum's second release with the OAE, following a release of Monteverdi's Vespers (SIGCD237) earlier this year. The next release, planned for December, will feature Sarah Connolly performing Mahler's Totenfier and Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with the OAE under Vladimir Jurowski.

Five years on from his debut recording with Signum Records, James Rhodes has firmly established himself in the classical world as pioneering figure – reaching out through concerts, recordings and television documentaries to create new classical music fans while remaining unabashedly dedicated to the core repertoire that he performs. In his fifth recital album, he returns with a sumptuous program of works of Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, the Gluck–Sgambatti ‘Orfeo Melody’, and Liszt’s arrangement of Robert Schumann’s ‘Frühlingsnacht’.

The Myrthen Ensemble has been praised for their “irresistible combination of arresting programing and vocal flair assembled around pianist Joseph Middleton.” (BBC Music Magazine) Consisting of Mary Bevan, Clara Mouritz, Allan Clayton, Marcus Farnsworth, and Joseph Middleton, the recently formed ensemble specializes in art-songs and Lieder. All of the tracks on this new release focus around the moon. Composers include Brahms, Barber, Duparc, Faure, and more.

Tamsin Waley-Cohen, a violinist of 'fearless intensity' (The Guardian), explores post-1944 solo repertoire, pushing the instrument to it's limits on Soli, her new release on Signum Classics. Bart�k's Solo Sonata, an 'Everest' of the violin repertoire, sits at the heart of this recording which also includes Krzysztof Penderecki's Cadenza, and miniatures by Elliott Carter, Gy�rgy Kurt�g and George Benjamin. Ms. Waley-Cohen's adventurous and varied career includes performances with the RPO, LPO and BBC orchestras, conductors Andrew Litton and Tamas Vasary, and an "Artist in Residence" association with Orchestra of the Swan. Performances have taken her across the UK, Europe, to the USA and the Antipodes. An in-demand recitalist, Tamsin enjoys a successful performing and recording duo partnership with pianist and composer Huw Watkins. Her interest in contemporary music has led to strong relationships with contemporary composers, including Mr. Watkins', Richard Causton, Joseph Phibbs, and Torsten Rasch.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

BBC Music Magazine Choral & Song Choice, June 2011 Performance *****, Recording *****

Beautifully crafted Victoria – BBC Music Magazine Choral & Song Choice Anthony Pryer gives a warm welcome to Tenebrae's superlative disc.

This truly great Requiem by Victoria was written on the death of his patron, the sister of Philip II of Spain. Many choirs have recorded it before including those directed by Harry Christophers (on Coro) and Peter Philips (Gimell). Philips also pairs Victoria's works with those by Lobo (a composer working in Seville), but the insight and advocacy of Nigel Short's recording make it outstanding.

The special problems of this music include the fact that in historical terms its 'pre-emotional' style makes it difficult to evoke meaningful contrast from the notes. Many groups go for a kind of random, lurching, squeeze-box approach to the phrases, but Nigel Shorts choir is more subtle. In Lobos Versa est in luctum he keeps his eye on the overall shape of the piece, wonderfully grading and crafting the musical unfolding. In Victoria's Sanctus the sentiments of the words ('heaven and earth are full of thy glory') prompt a sustained celebration of sound, and in the Responsory ('the day of wrath') Short finds a musical dramaturgy to match that of the text. The Requiem is written for six voices, but this choir of 20 never seems lumbering or unbalanced. They are perfectly tuned (listen to the exquisite poise of the Agnus Dei), and one is rarely aware of intrusive individual singers. The acoustic has a long echo, but the sound is kept nicely in focus. This recording does justice both to the genius of Victoria and to the musicality of Tenebrae.

-- Anthony Pryer, BBC Music Magazine

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music