Lusitano: The First Known Black Composer, Acknowledged With Luminous Clarity

THE MARIAN CONSORT resurrects the Motets of VICENTE LUSITANO, the first known Black composer and a highly regarded 16th Century music theorist.
by David McGee
 

 
 

When Tonality Means a Journey

Bernard Hughes music is both satisfying and challenging to sing, as well as being rewarding for both singer and audience. PRECIOUS THINGS, by the EPIPHONI CONSORT, is a case in point.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Where Grief and Anger Share Space

This new disc from Toccata Classics features chamber music by the young composer Noah Max and exudes, as one critic notes, 'a sense of loss pervading almost everything here.' Yet, it's not a downer.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Evoking Afternoons in 17th Century Hereford

Composer Matthew Locke was born 400 years ago this year, and to mark this occasion the British viol consort FRETWORK are marking the happy occasion with an album featuring seven of Locke's suites that have hitherto barely made ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Where Western Classical Meets Native American Musical Culture

A citizen of both the United States and of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, composer JEROD IMPICHCHAACHAHA' TATE's music reflects his dual heritage. ROBERT HUGILL offers an informed perspective on this intriguing composer's art.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Composer Reclaims His Faith

Classical editor ROBERT HUGILL considers CALUM BUILDER's 'Messe (You Are Where You Want to Be), a work which deconstructs the Latin mass to explore the composer's own journey, deconstructing and reconstructing his relationship ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Randall Goosby: Style, Soul, Virtuosity

Young violinist RANDALL GOOSBY's debut album, ROOTS, is one of this year's most exciting classical music events. Herewith a sampling of the across-the-board plaudits album and artist alike are receiving for this most striking r...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The (Continuing) Resurrection of Florence Price

Paying loving tribute to pioneering African American composer FLORENCE PRICE, acclaimed pianist SAMANTHA EGE offers FANTASIE NEGRE: THE PIANO MUSIC OF FLORENCE PRICE. Review by ROBERT HUGILL.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Being About an Instrument ‘At Once Familiar and Unknown’

In ART OF THE MANDOLIN, AVI AVITAL offers a perspective on 300 years of music composed specifically for his instrument of choice. A range of perspectives--via reviews, interviews and first-person observations-help explain the a...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Indefatigable George McPhee

The PAISLEY ABBEY CHOIR, with Director GEORGE. MCPHEE, offers the first outstanding choral album of 2021 in A CELTIC PRAYER, a program of choral and organ pieces by Scottish composers of contemporary and 20th Century Scottish s...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Half-Lights and Misty Streetscapes

'HALF LIGHTS and MISTY STREETSCAPES': ROBERT HUGILL reviews two introspective, atmospheric, haunting gems: pianist-composer MELISSA PARMENTER's MESSAPICA and the intriguing ECHO COLLECTIVE's THE SEE WITHIN.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Guitar Majesty

A set of delightfully evocative pieces for guitar duos composed by KEMAL BELEVI comprises a fine new album by DUO TANDEM, incisively reviewed by ROBERT HUGILL
by David McGee