melissa parmenter messapica

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
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
schubert sessions featured

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
 

 
 
Byzantine King Cappella Romana featured

Wherein Byzantine Chant Meets Sarum Liturgy

CAPPELLA ROMANA uses its 30th album to honor a little-known occasion when the Byzantine Emperor celebrated Christmas at the English court in Eltham, circa 1400 A.D.
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
 

 
 
mozart london featured

Young Mozart, Poised to Beguile Georgian Society

When eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrived in London in 1764, he was, according to JOSEPH NEWSOME, 'poised to beguile the music-loving denizens of Georgian society.' A new album, MOZART IN LONDON, captures that moment.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Celebrating the Stanford Centenary

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

 
 
ophelie gaillard alvorada featured

The Latinate Cello

On the enticing ALVORADO, OPHELIE GAILLARD, better known as a baroque and classical cellist, convincingly performs a wide variety of Spanish and Latin American music by Piazzolla, Jobim, Villa Lobos and other greats.
by David McGee
 

 

 
celtic prayer featured

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
 

 
 
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Exploring Celestial Harmony

On 'Spheres,' his new album, violin great DANIEL HOPE explores Music of the Spheres, the junction between philosophy, mathematics and music. Blame Pythagoras.
by David McGee
 

 

 
twenty waies featured

The ‘Circular Music’ of Pellingmans’ Saraband

On its new album, TWENTY WAIES UPON THE BELS, PELLINGMANS' SARABAND explores 'circular music' from the 16th and 17th centuries, including a tune with verses written by imprisoned Anne Boylen.
by David McGee
 

 
 
Ruth McGinley Aura cover

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