Handel: MessiahOrchetstra & Choir of the Age of Enlightenment, Christian Curnynrecorded in St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, released 27 December 2020 This recording of Messiah was made over a couple of days in the lead up to Christmas under London’s just-applied Tier 4 Covid-19 regulations. It was rehearsed and recorded in the sumptuous mid-to-late 19th century Anglo-Catholic … Continue reading OAE Player: Messiah
Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Parts 1, 2, 3, 6) The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment St John’s, Smith Square, 22 December 2019 For many years now, the highlights of the London Christmas and Easter concert season has been the final two concerts of the St John’s, Smith Square … Continue reading Bach: Christmas Oratorio
Purcell: King Arthur (1691) Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh Concert: St John’s Smith Square, 30 October 2019 CD: Signum/Winged Lion SIGCD589. 2CD. 97’38 The new recording by the Gabrieli Consort & Players of Purcell’s King Arthur was launched at an impressive concert performance at St John’s, Smith Square. Lacking the two biggest-name singers from the … Continue reading Purcell: King Arthur (1691)
Sweeter than Roses Songs by Henry Purcell Anna Dennis, soprano Sounds Baroque, Julian Perkins Resonus Classics RES10235.. 67’33 Henry Purcell is one of the greatest composers of English vocal music, with his ability to tease out the depths of meaning in mere words through his sensitive melodic and harmonic skills. Publisher Henry Playford’s preface to Orpheus … Continue reading Sweeter than Roses: Songs by Henry Purcell
Purcell: The Fairy Queen Gabrieli Consort and Players, Paul McCreesh St John’s, Smith Square. 1 November 2018 The Gabrieli Consort and Players could probably perform The Fairy Queen in their sleep, such is their experience of Purcell’s music, and this particular work, over many years. They have performed it at the BBC Proms, the Barbican, the … Continue reading Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Bach: Christmas Oratorio 1-3, Singet dem Herrn Choir & Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Masaaki Suzuki Cadogan Hall. 9 December 2016 Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was originally performed as six separate cantatas on the major feast days of the Christmas Day, starting on 25 December. Unlike present day marketing operations and shops, Christmas in Lutheran Leipzig … Continue reading OAE: Christmas Oratorio
As the 2015 London Festival of Baroque Music approaches, I thought I would re-publish my review of last year’s festival, under the then title of the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music. “This year’s Lufthansa Festival (the 30th) marked the end of an era. It was the last to benefit from the 30-year sponsorship of Lufthansa (and, for … Continue reading The 2014 Lufthansa Festival – end of an era?
Mozart in London A musical exploration of Mozart’s childhood visit to London, 1764-65 The Mozartists, Ian Page Signum Classics SIGCD534. 2 CDs. 77’36&67’14 The Classical Opera/Mozartists Mozart 250 project has been underway for four years, with a number of successful recordings and events already under their belt. This (rather delayed) review of a double CD set … Continue reading Mozart in London
