SHOSTAKOVICH
Complete String Quartets Volume 5 (Nos 5 & 15) Sorrel Quartet [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 5/Oct/2004 ] 'The superlative Sorrel Quartet have now recorded 13 of Shostakovich's 15 string quartets. They are up against formidable competition, but their playing and their understanding of the music equals that of their international rivals... a superb... |
SHOSTAKOVICH
Complete String Quartets Vol 1 (Nos 7, 6 & 10) The Sorrel Quartet [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 30/Sep/2000 ] The Sorrel Quartet's first release in a series of Shostakovich |
SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich - Complete String Quartets Vol 3 (Nos 8, 9 & 13) The Sorrel Quartet [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 30/Sep/2001 ] "The deeply committed, skilful performances of the Sorrel Quartet serve Shostakovich well, confirming his contribution among the major composers of music for the string quartet medium." (MusicWeb Dec 2001) |
A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS
A Festival of Christmas (Incls 'Ding Dong, Merrily on High', 'Dance Little Goatling' & 'Silent Night') St Ambrose R.C. Junior School Choir / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir / Edmund Walters [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Nov/2002 ] Recorded in: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 19-20 July 1981 |
RUBBRA
Missa cantuariensis, Op. 59 / Dormi Jesu, Op. 3 / Missa in honorem Sancti Dominici, Op. 66 / etc St Margaret's Westminster Singers, Richard Hickox [ Chandos / CD - released 28/Sep/2007 ] "The singing of the St Margaret's Singers is smooth, spiritual and intellectually engaged. The two brief carols are atmospherically done. Of the two masses the Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici (a cappella) is the most constantly rewarding, right from... |
GEORG PHILIPP TELEMANN
Telemann: Sinfonia TWV 50:1 in G major 'Grillen-Symphonie', etc. Anthony Halstead, Christian Rutherford, Raul Diaz (horns), Simon Standage (violin) / Collegium Musicum 90 [ Chandos Chaconne / CD - released 25/Nov/1993 ] "This release shows Telemann at his most irrepressibly good-humoured and imaginative." Gramophone |
CONSTANT LAMBERT
The Bird Actors / Pomona / Romeo and Juliet State Orchestra of Victoria / John Lanchbery [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 15/Jan/2001 ] 'All in all, an extremely welcome and entertaining disc'. Gramophone |
JOHANN NEPOMUK HUMMEL
Hummel: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 Stephen Hough (piano) / English Chamber Orchestra / Bryden Thomson [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 10/May/2004 ] "In Stephen Hough's virtuosic hands, the coruscating final coda of the A minor Concerto is one of the most exciting things I've heard for years. Bravo!" - Lionel Salter (Gramophone) |
PERCY GRAINGER
An Introduction to Percy Grainger (Including Country Gardens & Handel in the Strand) Stephen Varco (baritone) Penelope Thwaites (piano) / Joyful Company of Singers / BBC Philharmonic / City of London Sinfonia / etc [ Chandos Intro / CD - released 1/Aug/2006 ] "Here's a recipe guaranteed to delight Grainger acolytes and inquisitive newcomers alike: a liberal sprinkling of old friends." (Gramophone) |
J. S. BACH
Goldberg Variations Steven Devine (harpsichord) [ Chandos Chaconne / CD - released 31/May/2011 ] "Devine has the technique, the imagination and the mastery of period style to give a thoroughly satisfying performance...Devine's reading is worthy of consideration alongside other distinguished recent traversals" (Gramophone) |
J. S. BACH
'Italian' Concerto / 'French' Overture Steven Devine (harpsichord) [ Chandos Chaconne / CD - released 1/Jan/2015 ] "It's a lineup oozing virtuosic exuberance, and, as in his heel-kicking additions to the ouverture's Echo, Devine can do 'brilliance'; but he's never interested in virtuosity for its own sake." (BBC Music) |
WILLIAM BYRD
Byrd: The Great Service Steven Devine (organ) / The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble & Musica Contexta [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Jun/2012 ] "The Great Service, consisting of settings of liturgical texts for Matins, Communion, and Evensong, is among the finest music by William Byrd for the Anglican Church." |
JANACEK
Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 (Incls 'Glagolitic Mass') Stuart Skelton (tenor) Sara Jakubiak (soprano), Susan Bickley (mezzo-soprano) Gábor Bretz (bass) / Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Mar/2016 ] "It's a very fine, exciting performance and Chandos have captured it in thrilling sound." (MusicWeb March 2016) |
HUMMEL
Fortepiano Sonatas Susan Alexander-Max (fortepiano) [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Nov/2009 ] 'Alexander-Max has an appreciation for Hummel's writing that comes through clearly in her confident and skilful playing, and, although she easily could, she is careful not to grab the spotlight all for herself.' All Music Guide. |
EDMUND RUBBRA
Sinfonia concertante / Ode to the Queen / etc Susan Bickley (mezzo) Howard Shelley (piano) / BBC National Orchestra Wales, Richard Hickox [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 17/Nov/2001 ] 'A mouthwatering reissue comprising four outstandingly eloquent performances...' Gramophone |
FRANCESCO D'AVALOS
Maria di Venosa (complete opera) Susan Bullock, soprano / Hilary Summers, contralto / Apollo Voices / Philharmonia Chorus / Philharmonia Orchestra / Francesco d'Avalos, conductor [ Chandos Classics / 2 CD - released 18/Oct/2005 ] This is the premiere recording of Francesco d'Avalos's opera Maria di Venosa. |
MENOTTI
The Consul (Complete opera) Susan Bullock (soprano) John Horton Murray (tenor) Louis Otey (baritone) / Spoleto Festival / Richard Hickox [ Chandos / 2 CD Box Set - released 1/Jul/2008 ] 1001 Classical Recording you must hear before you die (1901-1950) |
FLORENT SCHMITT
La Tragedie de Salome / Le Palais Hante / Psaume 47 Susan Bullock (soprano) / Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier [ Chandos / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jun/2011 ] "it has taken a Chandos SACD recording to render what must be nigh-definitive readings. This is not music for casual listening, but music lovers prepared to give themselves over to an experience that will leave them somewhat drained need not... |
BRITTEN
Choral Edition Vol. 2 - Missa Brevis / Ceremony of Carols / Festival Te Deum Susan Drake (harp) / Andrew Lumsden (organ) / The Finzi Singers / Paul Spicer [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 20/Feb/2011 ] Finzi Singers, Paul Spicer |
MENDELSSOHN
Paulus (St Paul) Op.36 Susan Gritton / Jean Rigby / Barry Banks / Peter Coleman-Wright / BBC National Chorus & Orchestra of Wales / Richard Hickox [ Chandos / 2 CD - released 1/May/2009 ] 'Another superb performance from Hickox, who gets a quartet of tremendous soloists and a first-rate orchestra and chorus… One of this year's musts.' (Cathedral Music) |