Seeking a Meaningful Acquaintance with Schubert

Classical contributor JOSEPH NEWSOME proclaims vocalist Philippe Sly and guitarist John Charles Britton's SCHUBERT SESSIONS: LEIDER WITH GUITAR, 2016's best lieder recording.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Nature as The Ultimate Matchmaker

THE NORTH WIND WAS A WOMAN, comprised of three intriguing chamber works by DAVID BRUCE, features stirring mandolin work by AVI AVITAL. Review by ROBERT HUGILL.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Tenor Hits From the Age of the Talkies’

Reigning tenor king JONAS KAUFFMAN assays a charming collection of songs from a special time in Germany's history, the era of Sally Bowles and the Kit Kat Club
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Cosmopolitan Queen of Bel canto

Classical contributor JOSEPH NEWSOME sits down for an enlightening chat with JESSICA PRATT, 'The Cosmopolitan Queen of Bel canto,' upon the release of her debut recital disc, SERENADE
by David McGee
 

 

 

Magnificent Original

Conductor VLADIMIR JUROWSKI leads the State Academic Orchestra of Russia through a memorable performance of TCHAIKOVSKY's 1877 version of SWAN LAKE.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Bach by Thile (Not Thile Does Bach)

It was inevitable: after flirting with Bach for his entire professional career, CHRIS THILE has released a solo album of the Baroque giant's Sonatas & Partitas. Reviewer CHRSITINE N. LAYTON hails it as a big winner.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Fleshing Out New Dimensions in Bach’s Music

On his new album, lutenist HOPKINSON SMITH is fleshing out new dimensions of J.S. Bach's Suites nos. 4, 5 and 6 in what he describes as a 'non-violent approach.' Review and interview herein.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Inhabiting a World Between

On AURA, RUTH McGINLEY and NEIL MARTIN take ten traditional Irish tunes into new and hauntingly evocative territories.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Of Lute Duets and East Meets West, From Elizabethan England to Modern Japan

‘…an air of warmth and accessibility…’ Casual pronouncements are made every so often that the lute songs of Elizabethan England were the pop music of their day. The lutenist is said to be the 16th-century version of...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Border Patrol

On AMERICANO Classical guitar giant PABLO VILLEGAS ranges from Venezuela to Mexico, from Paraguay to the Bayou, from Broadway to the rural South in celebrating the music of all the Americas.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Luxurious Perfection of Chanticleer: 35 Years of ‘Clear Singing’

The early music vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER is marking its 35th anniversary with a new album, The Siren's Call. Herewith a retrospective salute and a listener's guide to Chanticleer musts.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Of Ethereal, Poised Beauty

Film composer Richard Harvey's disc of highly evocative choral music in superb performances from two Baltic choirs, the LATVIAN RADIO CHOIR and the ESTONIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER CHOIR
by David McGee