girton college missa laudate

Recovered: The Music of Monteverdi’s Teacher

Not just Monteverdi's teacher: the CHOIR OF GIRTON COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, explores the sacred music of MARC'ANTONIO INGEGNERI. ROBERT HUGILL reviews.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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‘Mission’ Possible: Cecilia Bartoli Rules the Classical Roost

With Mission, her acclaimed new album of Agostino Steffani songs, CECILIA BARTOLI is not only getting the best reviews of her distinguished career, but says she is 'going against the typical cliche of a diva, of being beautiful...
by David McGee
 

 

 
jessica pratt featured

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
 

 
 
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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A Fresh Take on Fibich

Among Czech nationalistic composers, Zdenek Fibich's work has been woefully overlooked. The Czech National Symphony offers a partial corrective on its new CD.
by David McGee
 

 
 
music cold climate 1

Echoes From A Distant Time

IN ECHO , an ensemble devoted to 16th and 17th century music, offers MUSIC IN A COLD CLIMATE, a selection of songs from a time when the seafaring nations of Northern Europe were connected culturally and commercially by the Hans...
by David McGee
 

 

 
Arctic Saxophone cover

The Warmth of Arctic Saxophone

Haunting and beautiful, ARCTIC SAXOPHONE, by Norway's Ola Asdahl Rokkones, is an unforgettable experience.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Harpsichord In a New World

MAHAN ESFAHANI continues to break new ground for the harpsichord on his latest CD, TIME PRESENT AND TIME PAST. Review by ROBERT HUGILL.
by David McGee
 

 

 
CoStanford Howells Cover FINAL 2

An Influential Recording Returns, And Then Some

Under the direction of JOHN RUTTER, the CAMBRIDGE SINGERS bring fresh vitality to works by SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD and HERBERT HOWELLS in an expanded reissue of a 1992 classic, STANFORD AND HOWELLS REMEMBERED.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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‘As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you’ll know you’re pure within’

Introduced on stage in 2005, James Whitbourn's Annelies, the first adaptation of Anne Frank's diary into a large-scale choral work, will at last be released on CD on Jan. 22. Here's our preview of the first important recording ...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Shakespeare, In Concept

CLARA SANABRAS has adapted SHAKESPEARE'S 'THE TEMPEST' into an operatic production and, now, a concept album with Britten Sinfonia and others. It's a beauty. ROBERT HUGILL reviews.
by David McGee
 

 
 
precious things choral music by bernard hughes cd delphian records 240751

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