Reviews

The sound is somewhere between modern and more traditional. We also found it approachable; perhaps because there are hints of popular music in here, with nods to jazz and even popular classical music.

This CD demonstrates the violin at its most bleak/stark/purest; take your pick. It has a range of sounds and it’s a varied collection and hard to sum up. Overall, it’s a meaty programme with lots to hold the interest. Despite being modern, none of it is “challenging”, as the more unlistenable modern music is described. In fact, it’s got a depth you’d expect from a CD of more established music.

Lyricism is supplied in abundance by Wright. His warm tone and his ability to spin a legato phrase on what is essentially a percussion instrument are very impressive. There is something truly vocal about his playing. I can recommend this disc… very natural recorded sound and superb notes round out the production.

Marcus Blunt is one of those genuine British composers whose music has been unfairly overlooked for too long. This remarkably successful disc presents four of his works. Magnificently performed, very well recorded and finely balanced… and the entire production is strongly recommended.

The music has a bit of contemporary harmonic spice to liven up our holiday listening punch. Yet the music remains strikingly in the carol tradition. Anyone of Classical choral bent will find this album refreshing and substantial. Warmly recommended as a beautifully performed set of brand new yet ageless carols!

This [is] a lovely thing to have, as an object: a nice box, with seven CDs and a thick booklet. That’s before you hear a note. The CDs have been carefully planned as separate programmes. The playing is superb throughout. If you’ve ever thought you’d like some cultured music but don’t know where to start, this is it.

This has got to be one of the coolest things… by definition [the carols] are all short and definitely sweet. It’s like having high-quality carol singers round your house. It’s a delightful and atmospheric programme of Christmas music.

Neat, undemonstrative and individual little carols that totally surpass their ‘closed circle’ origins.

The compositional style and harmonic language of both composers is highly complex and adventurous… it is very individual, drawing upon many influences and diverse techniques. Gemini is one of Britain’s most important and most durable contemporary music ensembles. Gemini can certainly be regarded as ideal interpreters of this music. These are indeed excellent and fully committed performances.

A big feature of much of the music on the disc is Braid’s use of the archtop guitar, which Braid uses to surprisingly subtle effect. The music on the disc dates from the period 2012-2015 and is preponderantly in a gently modal, tonal style. An attractive introduction to the more intimate music of [the] composer. Here we have an array of fine performances and a selection of fascinating timbres.

Andreas Willscher has won many awards for his compositions. . His organ works are especially fine and varied – involving often a mélange of post-tonal modernism, minimalism, and jazz and rock elements. Organ Symphony Nos 19 and 20 were both composed in 2017 so are truly contemporary. They are lively, thrilling works with great rhythmic vitality.

Cooman’s organ compositions come in many styles… tonal and accessible though never lacking in complex chromaticism. Simmons plays with fine technique and assurance and the live recording quality is outstanding.

These works are very much in the English choral tradition and will provide a welcome alternative to the market cornered by the often overly sentimental works by John Rutter. Mr Turner’s take on well-known carols are fresh and interesting in their own right. This is a most lovely disc and a most welcome addition to the Christmas market and one that would grace anyone’s household over the festive season.

While you’re justifiably feeling good about yourself for supporting a very worthy cause, you’ll also be enjoying an immensely accomplished album. The Northern Chamber Orchestra proves itself both deft and more than versatile. The recorded sound is equally impeccable. Clearly, an album that really means something.

[Wyllie’s] sensitive molding of the moody [Enigma] theme is a joy from beginning to end—she shapes each of the variations in purely pianistic terms and in general succeeds brilliantly… a superlative performance. An unusual and rewarding collection.

Roe sets words beautifully naturally. I ended up absolutely captivated. A superb recording, with excellent placement of voices and instruments in the sound picture, seals the deal.

Rowland makes an excellent argument for Mattheson’s harpsichord suites, which he rightly describes as “of a consistently high quality.” So are his stylistically informed performances. Warmly recommended.

Rowland is a top-notch interpreter here, executing every phrase with consummate taste and skill and convincing rhetoric. His detailed booklet notes on each movement of each suite provide sure-footed guidance to the listener, and he is ideally captured by Athene’s recorded sound. Lovers of harpsichord repertoire need not hesitate in making this a major new acquisition to their collections; strongly recommended.

These are, to say the least, wonderful works. Mattheson was an adept and original composer, whose style reflects a thorough knowledge of composition and the concurrent trends of the day. Harpsichordist Gilbert Rowland provides a sensitive and focused interpretation. The sound is clear and airy. In short, this is a must-have disc.

Liz Johnson’s music really resonated with me. After more than two and a half hours of it, I was ready to hear even more. Given the top-notch performances of this music, this set will have appeal to those who appreciate contemporary music with considerable stylistic variety. I can, therefore, do no less than give this issue my top recommendation.