GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Messiah (1751 Version) Robert Brooks / Iestyn Davies / Eamonn Dougan / New College Choir / Academy of Ancient Music / Edward Higginbottom (Conductor) [ Naxos / 2 CD - released 7/Nov/2006 ] "This is a very special recording. Not only is it of quite outstanding quality both musically and dramatically, but, being sung entirely by male voices associated with a single institution, it probably comes as close as modern conditions permit to |
Room-Music
Catoire: Chamber Music [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Feb/2005 ] |
Room-Music
Gyorgy Catoire - Chamber Music [ Hyperion / CD - released 13/Apr/2005 ] 'This is music which could certainly appeal to those who are attracted by Russian Impressionism, or by Scriabin's piano works, especially in these performances. They are led by Stephen Coombs, author of an informative insert-note, who is undaunted by... |
Roxy Music
Avalon (LP) [ Virgin Records / LP - released 21/Jul/2017 ] There could be no more fitting swansong for one of British music's most consummate bands ever than 1982's swooning, romantic 'Avalon'. Co-producer Rhett Davies and the band unveil layers of sound, best represented by its hits, title track and 'More... |
Roxy Music
Avalon (Half-Speed Remaster LP) [ Virgin Records / LP - released 23/Sep/2022 ] Avalon, the final studio offering from Roxy Music, would draw upon a smoother, more adult orientated sound giving us the now iconic single 'More Than This'. Avalon would be yet another UK no'1 album staying there for more than three weeks and in the... |
Roxy Music
Roxy Music (LP) [ Virgin Records / LP ] Falling halfway between musical primitivism and art rock ambition, Roxy Music's eponymous debut remains a startling redefinition of rock's boundaries. Simultaneously embracing kitschy glamour and avant-pop, Roxy Music shimmers with seductive style... |
J.S BACH
Goldberg Variations (arranged for small orchestra by Józef Koffler) Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble; Trevor Pinnock [ Linn Records / CD - released 9/Oct/2020 ] This new recording of Józef Koffler's arrangement of J.S.Bach's Goldberg Variations has been widely anticipated since Trevor Pinnock conducted the UK premiere at Wigmore Hall in 2019. |
W. A. MOZART
Gran Partita (with Haydn - Notturno No. 8 in G major) Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble, Trevor Pinnock [ Linn SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Apr/2016 ] "this is seriously impressive playing from students of the Royal Academy of Music under Trevor Pinnock." (The Guardian) |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Experiments on a March Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra / Clark Rundell [ Chandos / CD - released 27/Apr/2008 ] This disc is sure to delight lovers of marching band music, and will be an ideal introduction for those keen to discover more about this delightful genre of music. |
HESKETH / SKALKOTTAS / CORIGLIANO / GORB
Dances With Winds Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra / Clark Rundell, conductor [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 6/Mar/2005 ] The four sets of dances for wind orchestra recorded here are from different times and places: the Mediterranean in the 1930s, the United States in the 1970s, contemporary Britain. But between them they show how readily dance idioms can be used to... |
HOLST / BACH / VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
British Wind Band Classics Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra / Timothy Reynish [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 10/Jul/2005 ] The Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra is recognised as one of the leading conservatory ensembles in the world and performs internationally. It has already released several highly enjoyable discs on Chandos, all notable for their energy... |
BERLIOZ / SCHMITT / MILHAUD / SAINT-SAENS / BOZZA
French Wind Band Classics Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra, Timothy Reynish [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 15/Jan/2001 ] 'There are only a handful of conductors who know this repertoire really well and Tim Reynish rules supremely amongst them. His interpretations are authoritative, as are his programme notes, and I cannot recommend this CD too strongly to serious... |
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA
Sousa: Music for Wind Band Music Vol. 20 [Includes 'Oh, How I've Waited for You' & 'El Capitan Fantasy'] Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Wind Orchestra, Keith Brion [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 29/Jan/2021 ] "This is a wonderful series and this latest release brings us a range of Sousa's own arrangements of popular music specifically for his own band. It draws on music hall songs as well as arrangements from El Capitan and Good-Bye." Lark Reviews |
Sam Corkin (saxophones), Choir of Canterbury Cathedral, David Newsholme (director of music), Jamie Rogers (organ)
Palimpsest: New Works from Old for Saxophone and Choir [ Signum / CD - released 8/Sep/2023 ] This album marks the culmination of a landmark project to re-imagine new works from old for saxophone, choir and organ. Celebrated saxophonist Sam Corkin is joined by Canterbury Cathedral Choir to bring a fresh perspective to some well-loved... |
J. S. BACH
St Matthew Passion, BWV244 James Gilchrist, Matthew Rose, Ashley Riches, Elizabeth Watts, Christopher Maltman / Academy of Ancient Music & Choir of the AAM, Richard Egarr [ AAM Records / 3 CD Box Set - released 15/Jun/2015 ] "Singing and playing are highly polished and assured throughout, with James Gilchrist superb as the Evangelist, and Matthew Rose a credible if rather forceful Jesus" (BBC Music) |
The Scientists of Modern Music
Electronic Sunset [ Isaac Promotions / CD - released 23/Apr/2009 ] The Scientists of Modern Music are an electronic duo from Tasmania - a synth bomb - the fallout being incredible tron pop, beat driven robot rock and straight-to-your-artery bass drops. |
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
The Sons of Light (with Parry-Ode on the Nativity / Holst-The Mystic Trumpeter) Sheila Armstrong (soprano) Teresa Cahill (soprano) / Bach Choir / Royal College of Music Chorus / London Philharmonic / Willocks [ Lyrita / CD - released 12/Oct/2007 ] "Lyrita here put on the map three neglected scores from the British choral tradition and they do so in magnificent style." (MusicWeb Sept 2007) |
Music by David Hirschfelder, and classical composers. David Helfgott (piano)
Shine (Original Soundtrack) [ Polygram Records / CD - released 15/Aug/1996 ] Beautiful piano music, most of which is played by the man himself, David Helfgott |
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Britten on Film Simon Russell Beale (narrator) & Mary Carewe (soprano) / Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus / Martyn Brabbins [ NMC / CD - released 1/May/2007 ] 'This generous 79-minute collection consists of the film music without the film, so if you've once seen some of the better known ones such as Night Mail or Coal Face your visual memory fills the gap. An excellent feature is the provision of Auden's... |
KRASA / LAITMAN
Brundibar / I Never Saw Another Butterfly Soloists / Northwest Boychoir / Music of Remembrance / Gerard Schwarz [ Naxos / CD - released 15/May/2007 ] |