THE KING'S SINGERS THE KING'S SINGERS JOY TO THE WORLD

Includes work(s) by various composers, Josquin Des Préz, Heinrich Isaac, Jean Japart, Alexander Agricola, Alonso, Tylman Susato. Ensemble: Musica Antiqua of London. Conductor: Philip Thorby.

" ...an engrossing concept album about water, evoked in its various elemental states across a five-part suite bookended with a brief orchestral torrent supplanted by the resonant ringing of Tibetan temple bowls.” The Independent ****

Tide Harmonic is a new work for small ensemble by the contemporary British composer Joby Talbot. With a compositional aesthetic that threads through his classical and concert works, this disc was born out of a collaboration with choreographer Carolyn Carlson originally entitled Eau. A piece for small ensemble of string quartet, percussion, harp and keyboards (celesta, piano and harmonium), Tide Harmonic is described by its composer as: “… a kind of water symphony that, rather than constructing a poetic or narrative programme inspired by man’s relationship with water, instead focuses on the substance itself, the forces that act upon it, and the energy that flows through and from it”.

This is Signum’s second disc of Talbot’s work, and comes 5 years after Path of Mircales (SIGCD078) with the professional chamber choir Tenebrae:

"From it's opening eerie rising vocal glissando (A Tawainese singing effect called pasiputput) for the gentlemen of Nigel Short's Tenebrae, to the final distribution of the pilgrims having reached Finisterre ... Path of Miracles is little short of a musical miracle in itself. I would go so far as to suggest that this is to the first decade of the 21st century what Arvo Pärt's Passio was twenty years earlier" ClassicalSource.com

With childhood abuse, drug addiction and suicide attempts behind him, James is not your typical concert pianist. But with his passion and rock-star aura, he's bringing new audiences to classical piano. In Piano Man, James plays the music of his favourite composers, including Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, many of whom have had, like James, troubled lives. In this highly personal collection, James explains how they've given him solace in his darkest moments, and why we should all be listening. With stunning solo piano performances and witty insight into the lives of James's favourites, Piano Man is an exciting and radical new approach to classical music.

Bob Chilcott’s compositions are beloved with choral societies around the world, and this album represents the fruits of his recent collaborations with the US choir Choralis and their conductor Gretchen Kuhrmann. Featuring festive works for solo choir as well as choir and brass ensemble, at the centre of the programme is 'Wenceslas', inspired by the legend of the Bohemian King who braved the winter weather with his Page to save the life of a poor peasant, and incorporating the melody of the famous carol into each of its 8 movements. The release also includes the premiere recordings of Chilcott’s 'Gloria', which was premiered by the choir to great critical acclaim in 2015.

The most fun part of my job is figuring out what to play live. There's an infinite choice of immense, immortal music and I always try and design concert programs a bit like a set list for the audience. For this compilation (of my personal recordings from the last six years) I wanted to carry on in that vein and so I've made it a mix tape - these are the pieces that come up in my head unwarranted at 4am to get me through another rotten night of insomnia. These are the ones that always give me hope and a reason to hang on in there - because if music like this can exist then there is simply no question that the good outweighs the bad. They are my inside tracks. James Rhodes, 2015

An inspiring sequence of Christmas music ancient and modern, culminating in Britten’s virtuosic choral masterpiece, A Boy Was Born: Paul McCreesh leads the Gabrieli Consort (joined by the Trebles of Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir) in this evocative and contrasting collection of festive works that samples works from the 12th century to the present day.

The King’s Singers perform the complete Italian madrigal collection Il Trionfo di Dori. Commissioned by Venetian nobleman Leonardo Sanudo in 1592, the collection features 29 works, each written by a different composer and poet, and set for nine voices. Among them are Vecchi, Gabrieli, Marenzio, de Monte, Striggio, Anerio, Gastoldi, Porta and Palestrina.

A must-have for choral-aficionados everywhere that sees perhaps the world's finest a cappella ensemble The King's Singers join forces with The Concordia Choir - one of the USA's best collegiate groups - to perform works by choral composers Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and Morten Lauridsen. One of the world's most celebrated ensembles, The King's Singers have a packed schedule of concerts, recordings, media and education work that spans the globe. Championing the work of young and established composers, they remain consummate entertainers; a class-act with a delightfully British wit. From Gesualdo and György Ligeti to Michael Bublé, The King's Singers are instantly recognisable for their spot-on intonation, their impeccable vocal blend, the flawless articulation of the text and incisive timing. The Concordia Choir of Moorhead, Minnesota is one of America's finest a cappella choirs. Since 1920, the 72-voice choir has performed in nearly every major hall including Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center and has taken numerous international tours. The Choir is broadcast throughout the United States on public radio stations and on television via its Emmy-award winning Concordia Christmas Concert.

Patrick Hawes has quickly established himself as one of the UKs leading composers, writing in a personal and thoroughly English style that has endeared him to the listening public. This new disc of choral and organ works centers on the mystery and beauty of the words of the Old Testament with stunning performances from Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thoms, alongside Patricks own choral group Conventus and the English Chamber Orchesta.

“Patrick Hawes has carved out a niche as a contemporary composer who writes melodic, atmospheric and, frankly, beautiful music” The Gramophone *****

“Hawes’s admirers will find much here to confirm their warm response to his music’s quiet strength and individuality” Classic FM Magazine

“… the continuing rise of Patrick Hawes is one of the most remarkable stories of recent years … Hawes conjures up vivid images of the English countryside by drawing upon its indigenous literary, poetic and religious traditions.” The Gramophone

In recent years, Patrick Hawes has emerged as one of the country’s most popular and inspirational composers. Born in Lincolnhire, he studied music as an organ scholar at Durham University, and soon went on to make an impact in the world of choral music. April 2009 saw the release of Patrick’s latest album Song of Songs which was made CD of the week on Classic FM.

Signum Records prsents a new recording by Charivari Agréable. This CD explores instrumental music for the cornett from 16th century Italy. The cornett's appeal, according to Girolamo Dall Casa (1584), lies in its tonal similarity to the human voice. As such it was an instrument particuarly suited to supporting a choir, or to double a voice. Charivari Agréable explore the pairing of the cornett (a wind instrument) and strings, in various configurations through the imaginative performance practice first suggested by Bernandino Borlasca in 1616, Venice. By the end of the 16th century, the solistic use of the cornett was approaching its demise, however, Charivari's response has been to expand its repertory by discovering rarely heard works for the cornett which have surfaced from libraries baring a later date. Another response has been to revel in the creative historical performance practice of pastiche - by adapting and arranging the music of Siecento, Italy, with adventure and innovation. This creative process has benefited from an intimate knowledge of the compositional practice of the period, while allowing the group to share the essence of their ensemble philosophy.

Also available: Handel in Italy, Vol. 2 / Cunningham, London Early Opera

London Early Opera continue their programme themed around a typical evening’s entertainment at the 17th & 18th century Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, with a second collection of works by George Frideric Handel and contemporary composers of the day (John Stanley, Thomas Gladwin, John Lampe and Johann Adolph Hasse). Featuring performances by soloists Claire Bessant, Mary Bevan, Benjamin Bevan, Eleanor Dennis, Charles MacDougale, Nicky Spence and Greg Tassell, the programme evokes the carnival of music and entertainments that amused visitors in these London gardens for nearly 200 years. The booklet notes feature images and expert commentaries on the Vauxhall Gardens by author David E. Coke and as well as conductor and musicologist Bridget Cunningham.

Drawing international media attention following their founding in 2014, the Girls’ Choir of Canterbury Cathedral have quickly become leading lights in the British choral music landscape. For their first recording with Signum – led by their director David Newsholme – they draw on the rich catalogue of what have become British cathedral anthems from the 16th Century to the 20th, performing works by composers including Tallis, Byrd, Stanford, Parry and Howells. They are joined on this recording by the Men of Canterbury Cathedral choir, as well as organists Aidan Bawtree and Nicholas Wearne. Canterbury Cathedral’s Girls’ Choir, formed in 2014, sings at Evensong in the Cathedral twice every month, frequently with the lay clerks. The majority of the girls attend local schools in Canterbury and they rehearse each Wednesday evening. Their first performance at Evensong, on the occasion of the feast of the Conversion of St Paul, in January, was attended by more than 600 people and widely covered by the international press.