Reviews

[The transposition for female voices] works very well. The ladies of Musica Secreta sound beautiful. Grandi’s melodies fall easily on the ear. An enterprising disc well worth hearing

the singing is never less than vivacious and artful.

Grandi…perhaps second in importance only to Monteverdi. Performances are decently polished and delineated

Grandi’s music is of excellent quality and shows the features of so much of the sacred music of the time. Musica Secreta is a very fine ensemble, and the five singers on this disc – Deborah Roberts, Tessa Bonner, Katharine Hawnt (soprano), Catherine King (mezzo) and Caroline Trevor (contralto) – have very nice voices which blend excellently. The booklet contains informative programme notes and all the lyrics with an English translation.

The performances here are clean-cut and shapely… with good recording, especially as heard in the lossless download, and with the booklet containing texts and translations

Madeleine Mitchell’s playing is most appealing. Her tone is sweet and bright, and she and Andrew Ball are unfailingly sensitive to the nuances and character of each piece. The programme has several focuses of attention, culminating in a true song (Strauss) featuring a radiant-sounding Elizabeth Watts.

Most [of these pieces] are rarities and it is delightful to have them here, especially when played with such warmth and finesse. This is a CD full of small joys, wonderfully played. The sound is close and warm.

Listening to this CD is a delight from start to finish. The title is more than apt as throughout each carefully prepared piece, Mitchell’s violin truly sings and creates that calming and soothing effect which makes one forget all worldly troubles. Te lovely booklet… is almost worth the price of the CD alone. Mitchell herself wrote the notes which make fascinating reading. Truly a CD to cherish and treasure, keep it for a cold evening tucked away by the fireplace and just let it sink in. Utterly magical!

This CD… merits consideration on several levels. [Mitchell’s] touching sense of inner repose makes a touching impression… her sensitive musicianship comes as a welcome antidote to the thrusting lusciousness of other violinists.. her phrasing is quite outstanding. Andrew Ball… is an admirable accompanist. The recording quality throughout is good. Recommended.

Mitchell is one of the best things to happen to violin, classical or otherwise.  With a tremendous touch and wonderful style, this is gentle, caressing music that will blow you away. .  Simply a great recording.

a beguiling programme…surprising delights. Wonderful lyrical tone, captured in fine sound. Andrew Ball is a perfectly discreet accompanist. Elizabeth Watts’s divine performance confirms that she is an exceptional young talent. Overall, an enjoyable disc.

This is an album of charming music, brought to shimmering life by Madeleine Mitchell’s spirited yet sensitive virtuosity.

Madeleine Mitchell’s heart-on-sleeve approach works especially well…If you like your violin miniatures con espressivo with lashings of vibrato and tasteful portamento then this is the disc for you – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mitchell is a performer who delights in taking her red violins to schools and other non-specialist audiences, and these are just the sort of tunes that could be relied on to captivate them.  But there is clearly also a serious musician operating beneath the show-womanship, and there are some unexpected rarities in the mix. Throughout Andrew Ball provides excellent support.

In some ways, Garth’s concertos compare favourably with the wonderful cello concerto by Monn which was composed before 1750, and which was also many years ahead of its time. As a fellow cellist, I heartily thank Richard Tunnicliffe and the Avison Ensemble for bringing these works back to the English public. They very much demand to be heard.

Works of superb craftsmanship and great allure. They are given wonderfully crisp, enthusiastic, and convincing performances by Richard Tunnicliffe and the Avison Ensemble on another excellent disc.

[Garth] was a true expert of the instrument. The principal musical action is played out between the cello and the first violin, generating an entertaining and lively dialogue. Richard Tunnicliffe… cannot help but convince with his unobtrusive performance… Pavlo Beznosiuk… shines as leader of the ensemble with his baroque violin dating from the year 1676

Admirable are Richard Tunnicliffe’s performances… [he] combines stylistic discipline with a refreshing freedom of expression. An excellent pair of discs

The orchestration throughout is sound, unimpeachable and the small ensemble forces offer Richard Tunnicliffe sterling support. The recording sounds highly sympathetic and attractive. Tunnicliffe’s achievement is to characterise the concertos with individuality, to bring them to life with a strong sense of character… he manages to do so with real flair and technical surety.

Garth does show considerable powers of invention, avoiding cliché and turning corners with grace and wit. The slow movements are particularly attractive. The performances are excellent, with Richard Tunnicliffe irresistibly mixing grace and virtuosity. The recording is clear without sounding clinical or fierce. In performances such as these the present Concertos give immense pleasure.