Reviews

A potpourri of fascinating music. Both Sarah Leonard and Johnny Herford bring considerable skill, magic and understanding to this music. The piano part is well-executed by Nigel Foster. This is an excellent exploration of (mainly) contemporary English art-song, and goes a long way to prove that the genre is alive and well in the early 21st century.

As a lover of classical and symphonic music, it was a great pleasure to hear this disc for the first time. The two composers … have already found distinct voices, writing music that is both steeped in tradition and yet vibrant and alive. “a wonderful blending of the romantic, the modern and the post-modern. This album is a joy. It shows the future of symphonic music, and makes a strong case that its future is strong and healthy.

Here is a young pianist, of outstanding qualities: technical, interpretive, and creative… an outstanding pianist! The piano sound and recording quality are also outstanding. This CD is extremely highly recommended.

The sound quality of the disc is excellent; this is a well-produced and conceived CD. The programme is well-considered and balanced, with two nineteenth-century masterpieces framing a thoughtful and interesting modern work by the pianist.

Cetiz’s works are severe, sparse, rigorous compositions, perfect vehicles for Anairesis, featuring the excellent Anairesis Ensemble. Well-written program notes accompany this nicely packaged and carefully engineered CD

A very fine pianist, as evidenced by his playing of the Three Intermezzi, Op.117 by Brahms and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Well-written program notes accompany this nicely packaged and carefully engineered CD.

I found the entire [piano] concerto deeply moving and completely satisfying. The balance of soloist and orchestra is first-rate. [Aspects of Saturn is] perfectly formed and quite simply gorgeous. This is a fascinating retrospective of Marcus Blunt’s orchestral music. The four works are well-chosen to provide an excellent introduction to his musical idiom. The quality of the recording is ideal.

It comes as a treat to hear Elspeth Wyllie’s thoughtful and expressive rendition of the original version [of Enigma], which offers an intimacy and sweetness that the orchestra can’t match. This is a nicely recorded and beautifully played program of often pensive music that’s perfect for a quiet, rainy autumn afternoon.

Impressive sound, fine technique, and unfailing musical values

Measures up very well, with the notes seeming to glow.

d’Ascoli brings you as close to Chopin’s intentions as could be possible… a unique extra ingredient to the whole. Soak in Bernard d’Ascoli’s delight in flinging his deft fingers into dramatic bouts of virtuosity, yet never losing the overall shape and purpose of the musical architecture.

D’Ascoli’s well-rounded technique meets every demand… Textures are clear, melodies are shaped with a singer’s sense of line, and inner voices are handled with subtlety. He also has a fine sense of structure… directness of approach, firm rhythm, tonal refinement and judicious use of rubato…[an] impressive disc.

This rather wonderful CD is an impressionist description of landscape… it is engrossing and draws in the listener. It’s rich in content, and Sheppard Skærved never does anything less than world class. Moody music for sure, but worth investigating.

Brexit… but we should make sure not to miss UK music in future. Seven first recordings of works by very different British composers… ranges from the very beautiful violin concerto by Guto Puw to the passionate Rhapsody by Geoffrey Poole.

Jeremy Huw Williams is a subtle singer with effectively nuanced phrasing. He is accompanied steadily by Nigel Foster in some challenging songs. This series will appeal to lovers of 20th Century English song, particularly if they are interested in worthy songs that have fallen by the wayside and are unlikely to be available elsewhere.

Stephen Foulkes has a firm and steady voice and sings with exemplary diction. Colin Hunt, a Bath pianist, supplied fine accompaniment.

The sound is clear and allows a chance to hear a fine array of 20th Century English songs. Stephen Foulkes has a firm and steady voice and sings with exemplary diction. [Pianist] David Bednall is another Somerset treasure.

This recording was made at a concert given in May 2003. The performances are worth preserving. . The diction of all is excellent—I didn’t need to consult the booklet very often to understand what was sung. Many of these songs are little known gems that aren’t heard on these shores very often, if at all.

Chris Gekker’s full and warm trumpet sound is always welcome. Chris Vadala is the fine tenor saxophonist. Clara O’Brien is the rich-voiced mezzo soprano. Beautiful playing and collaborating by pianist Rita Sloan.

Mr Wright has the prodigious technique these arrangements require. Wright’s two Lisztian arrangements are excellent—the most desirable nine minutes here. Excellent sound.