kyrie harvey

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
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
hoddinott landscapes featured

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
 

 
 
bastard assignments featured

‘A Particular Anarchic Brand of Music Theater’

In the spirit of The Residents, London's BASTARD ASSIGNMENTS make their album debut with 'a particular anarchic brand of music theater,' according to our ROBERT HUGILL. Read on....
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
 

 
 
journey to nidaros cover 3

Feeling Nature’s Rhythms, Mystery and Spiritual Beauty

So Scottish composer/pianist ALEXANDER CHAPMAN CAMPBELL went for a long walk through Norway and lo! A beautiful album materialized...
by David McGee
 

 

 
north wind featured

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
 

 
 
grimmwood henselt cover

Music of a Forgotten Master

On his new disc, DANIEL GRIMWOOD offers the piano works of ADOLF VON HENSELT, a forgotten master whose music 'breathes the same air as that of Chopin and Liszt,' says ROBERT HUGILL.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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The Many ‘Worlds’ of Mandolinist Extraordinaire Avi Avital

Israeli-born mandolinist AVI AVITAL is blurring the classical-folk lines anew with BETWEEN WORLDS, featuring the work of 'classical composers inspired by folk music.'
by David McGee
 

 
 
moonstrung air gregory brown

To Fresh Buds

Navona Records has issued a complete disc of composer GREGORY W. BROWN's music on MOONSTRUNG AIR, performed by NEW YORK POLYPHONY and THE CROSSING.
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
 

 
 
whaley nights not spent

Beauty, Ease and Contemplation in Equal Measure

Beautiful and moving, this recording of song cycles by JONATHAN DOVE, rendered with sensitivity and passion by MARY WHATELY, draws on poems by the likes of EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY.
by David McGee