The Sixteen Stanford cover

Celebrating the Stanford Centenary

A century after his passing, CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD gets a grand celebration.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
loves signature

Sounds To Silence The Din of Discord

Three JULIANA HALL-composed songs cycles--based on verses by Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson and Marianne Moore--are masterfully rendered on LOVE'S SIGNATURE.
by David McGee
 

 
 
fifty shades album

Fifty Shades Stokes Interest in Early Music–But for How Long?

In we attempt to answer the penetrating question: Will the current revival of interest in early music via Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album retain its tumescence even after the trilogy’s commercial fortunes have gone ...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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‘Constantly Moving Between the Centuries…’

As they did on 2013's Mediterraneo, CHRISTINA PLUHAR & L'ARPGIATTA take a different approach, this time on the 17th century music of England's greatest composer, HENRY PURCELL
by David McGee
 

 
 
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To The Birthday Bard, Ever Young at 450

Commemorating Shakespeare's 450th birthday, the ULSTER ORCHESTRA, under the direction of conductor JoAnn Falletta, offers two timeless Bard-related compositions by JOHN KNOWLES PAINE.
by David McGee
 

 

 
chris thile spotlight

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
 

 
 
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If the Magnificent Landscapes of Wales Sang…

JOSEPH NEWSOME of VOIX DES ARTS takes stock of a fine new setting of composer ALAN HODDINOTT's SONG CYCLES AND FOLK SONGS featuring NICKY SPENCE and CLAIRE BOOTH, among others.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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‘Serious, Fascinating, Independent’

On ENTANGLED FORTUNES, the RED NOTE ENSEMBLE does justice to five major chamber pieces written by Scottish composer EDDIE MCGUIRE. Classical editor ROBERT HUGILL weighs in on a fine album.
by David McGee
 

 
 
Noah Max Songs of Loneliness Hugill

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
 

 

 
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Melody and Drama from a Baroque Master

As part of CECILIA BARTOLI's Steffani Project, I BAROCCHISTI, under the direction of DIEGO FASOLIS, has recorded 'a first-class collection of instrumental suites and movements from Agosto Steffani's operas, DANZE E OUVETURES. P...
by David McGee
 

 
 
ucd scholars perpetual twilight

‘Song is Central to the Irish Imagination’

Their 2016 debut album was an international hit, and the CHORAL SCHOLARS OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN are back with another stellar rendering of Irish song in PERPETUAL TWILIGHT
by David McGee