GIAY / ARIOSTI / ORLANDINI / RISTORI / GIACOMELLI / BONONCINI
The Crown: Heroic Arias For Senesino Randall Scotting (countertenor), Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Laurence Cummings (conductor) [ Signum / CD - released 2/Sep/2022 ] Francesco Bernardi-universally known by the moniker 'Senesino', after his place of birth-was Handel's leading male star for over a decade, owning many of the finest castrato roles. But this new album delves into the astonishing wealth of material... |
MONTEVERDI
Vespro della beata Vergine (1610) Robert Howarth (director/harpsichord) / Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment & Choir of the Age of the Enlightenment [ Signum / 2 CD - released 10/Feb/2011 ] "For me, Monteverdi's music enhances the text beautifully. It doesn't matter whether one is religious or not, this music touches the human soul and reflects, sincerely and passionately the true meaning of the texts in the psalms and motets." |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Horn Concertos Roger Montgomery (horn) & Margaret Faultless (director/violin) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment [ Signum / CD - released 31/Dec/2013 ] Under the direction of Margaret Faultless the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment shine on these new recordings of Mozart's Horn Concertos, featuring some astounding performances by Roger Montgomery on the natural horn. |
JOHN BLOW
Blow: Venus & Adonis Rosemary Joshua (sop), Gerald Finley (bar), Robin Blaze (countertenor), Clare College, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Renae Jacobs [ Harmonia Mundi Gold / CD - released 29/Sep/2008 ] "Rene Jacobs and his musicians present Blow's Venus and Adonis with persuasive style and dramatic clarity...Venus's lament and the closing plaintive chorus touch the heart deeply." (Daily Telegraph) |
HANDEL / CIAMPI / ARNE / HAYES / SMITH
Handel's Last Prima Donna: Giulia Frasi in London Ruby Hughes (soprano) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Laurence Cummings [ Chandos Chaconne SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 2/Mar/2018 ] "Ruby Hughes has a direct, clean, and unaffected soprano voice that, judging from descriptions, probably matches Frasi's quite well. The orchestral work under Cummings is exemplary" American Record Guide |
JACQUES OFFENBACH
Offenbach: Fantasio (complete operetta) Sarah Connolly, Brenda Rae, Russell Braun, Neal Davies / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Opera Rara Chorus, Sir Mark Elder [ Opera Rara / 2 CD - released 27/Apr/2018 ] 'Opera' - Recording of the Month - December 2014 |
MAHLER
Totenfeier / Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen Sarah Connolly (Mezzo) / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Vladimir Jurowski [ Signum / CD - released 1/Nov/2012 ] "rich, ardent singing of Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen." The Times, 29th September 2012 *** |
Static Age
Blank Screens [ CD ] |
HANDEL
Chandos Anthems Nos 5a, 6a & 8 Susan Gritton (sopr), Thomas Hobbs (ten) Iestyn Davies (cntten) / Trinity College Choir Cambridge & Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Stephen Lay [ Hyperion / CD - released 19/Jul/2013 ] "Layton directs his young singers with such a perfect control of texture and rhythm that there's no hint of stodginess" (Gramophone) |
GABRIEL FAURE
Faure: Requiem, Op. 48 / Messe basse / Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11 Tom Pickard (treble) & Gerald Finley (baritone) / Choir of Kings College Cambridge & Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Stephen Cleobury [ King's College SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 15/Sep/2014 ] " Gerald Finley, another former King's Choral Scholar, I believe, represents luxury casting for the baritone solos and his contribution is distinguished: I relished his warm, firm tone and the way in which he articulates the text …Bravo!" MusicWeb |
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Bach: Mass In B Minor Katherine Watson, Iestyn Davies, Neal Davies, etc / Trinity College Choir Cambridge, Orchestra Of the Age of Enlightenment, Stephen Layton [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 2/Mar/2018 ] 'Katherine Watson, already a busy soloist, has a delightful baroque soprano voice … but it is Iestyn Davies who serves up this recording's jewel in his Agnus Dei,...vocal beauty and moving musicality that it is hard to imagine surpassed." Gramophone |
FREDERIC CHOPIN
Emanuel Ax plays Chopin Emanuel Ax (piano) with Pamela Frank (violin), Yo - Yo Ma (cello) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sir Charles Mackerras [ Sony & BMG Music / 6 CD Box Set - released 3/Dec/2017 ] Polish by birth and a victor of the Chopin Competition, Six CDs present Emanuel Ax's interpretations of a stimulating range of concertante, solo and chamber works by his compatriot. The two concertos are played with Sir Charles Mackerras conducting... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Magnificat: 500 Years of Choral Masterworks [50 CD set] The Sixteen, The Clerks' Group, The Cardinall's Musick, Gabrieli Consort, The Monteverdi Choir, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & more [ Decca Music Group / 50 CD Box Set - released 15/Mar/2012 ] This unique, limited-edition boxed set offers 50 CDs of the greatest choral masterpieces of the past 500 years, stretching from Renaissance Masses and the glories of the Baroque and Classical eras through to the major works of the Romantic & modern eras. |