THOMAS ADES
Ades: The Exterminating Angel (complete opera recorded in 2017) Metropolitan Opera / Audrey Luna, Amanda Echalaz, Sally Matthews, Sophie Bevan, Alice Coote, Christine Rice, Iestyn Davies / Thomas Ades (cond) [ Erato DVD / DVD - released 20/Feb/2019 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD NOMINATION 2019 TOP THREE - Contemporary |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Goldberg Variations Beatrice Rana (piano) [ Warner Classics / CD - released 1/Mar/2017 ] "Her detailing is one of the aspects that makes this performance so compelling, be it the bringing out of a new line in the repeat, subtle changes in phrasing, a touch of pedal - examples are to be found in every single variation." Gramophone |
THOMAS ADES / ER NORGARD / HANS ABRAHAMSEN
Ades: Arcadiana / Norgard: Quartetto Breve / Abrahamsen: 10 Preludes The Danish String Quartet [ ECM New Series / CD - released 15/Apr/2016 ] "The Danish are remarkable, as ever - capable of intense blend, extreme dynamic variation (in which they seem glued together), perfect intonation even on harmonics, and constant vitality and flow" Gramophone Award Nomination 2017 - Chamber |
FRANZ SCHUBERT / JEAN SIBELIUS
Schubert: String Quartet No 14 'Death and the Maiden' / Sibelius: String Quarte 'Intimate Voice' Ehnes Quartet [ Onyx Classics / CD - released 9/May/2017 ] "I never would have thought of putting these two works together, but in this group's hands it has resulted in something wonderful." Gramophone Magazine, Editor's Choice, January 2017 |
LENNOX & MICHAEL BERKELEY
Stabat Mater: Sacred Choral Music by Lennox & Michael Berkeley The Marian Consort, Berkeley Ensemble, David Wordsworth [ Delphian / CD - released 22/Jul/2016 ] "The Marian Consort's background in early music pays dividends in their superb precision of pitch, impeccable rhythmic placing and beautiful diction.the lush harmonies that open [Judica me] are sumptuously delivered and beautifully recorded" Gramopho |
GIACHES DE WERT
Giaches de Wert: Divine Theatre - Sacred Motets Stile Antico [ Harmonia Mundi SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Mar/2017 ] "It is a testament to Werts's emotional immediacy that this album is one of their (Stile Antico's) most engaging recording; polyphony to grab one's attention rather than to carpet a devotional daydream" Gramophone Award Nomination 2017 - Early Music |
JOHN BLOW
Blow: Symphony Anthems Choir of New College Oxford & St James' Baroque (on period instruments) [ Novum / CD - released 20/Mar/2017 ] "All the works are given splendid performances which not only remind us that there is more to Blow than merely being Purcell's mentor but also confirm that New College's famous choir is in very good hands." Gramophone Award Nomination 2017 |
JONATHAN HARVEY
Harvey: Deo: Choral and Organ Works The Choir of St John's College Cambridge, Edward Picton-Turbervill (organ), Andrew Nethsingha (director) [ Signum / CD - released 20/Jul/2016 ] "nuanced and exhilarating performances." BBC Music Magazine Awards 2017 - Choral Winner |
JEAN GUYOT
Guyot: Te Deum laudamus & other sacred music Cinquecento [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Apr/2017 ] "the five adult men of Cinquecento - here joined by the countertenor David Allsopp - are, as always, absolutely flawless in the performance of this music. Even by the best standards of today their ensemble, balance and intonation are beyond reproach" |
ERNST KRENEK
Krenek: Reisebuch aus den österreichischen Alpen (with Zemlinsky - songs) Florian Boesch (baritone) & Roger Vignoles (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Sep/2016 ] "The emotional ambivalences are finely projected, as sadness, dismay and anger are repeatedly undercut by self-deprecating wit and humour" Gramophone Awards 2017 Nomination - Solo Vocal |