Purcell

Musical Tour Cantar alla Viola Da Vinci C00888

A Musical Tour from Renaissance to Baroque (Da Vinci Classics)

A compelling demonstration of an uncommon performance practice [JV]

Gatti Praeconium solitudinis NovAntiqua

Enrico Gatti (violin) Praeconium solitudinis (NovAntiqua)

The performances are superb, but the concept may not appeal to everyone [JV]

Peace magdalen COR16205

Peace I leave with you – Music for the Evening Hour (Coro Magdalen)

A discerningly chosen programme given accomplished performances [JQ]

spycket forgotten records

Sylvie Spycket (harpsichord) (Forgotten Records)

A short-lived harpsichordist heard in a bracingly robust recital [JW]

Philarmonica Le Consort Alpha 1011

Philarmonica (Alpha Classics)

A potentially interesting programme, but it tended to all blend together [DJB]

Purcell fairy HAF890130809

Purcell: The Fairy Queen (Harmonia Mundi)

This 35-year-old recording is still a worthy competitor in a crowded field and the sound comes up as fresh as new paint [GF]

Popper: Complete Transcriptions for Violoncello and Piano (Paladino Music)

A valuable addition to the Popper discography and a chance to hear a Hubay rarity [RCh]

Alexander Chance (alto): Drop not, mine eyes (Linn Records)

Chance is a foremost representative of his generation in the falsetto range [JV]

purcell queen mary apex

Purcell: Music for Queen Mary (Apex)

(Déjà Review) One of the crowning glories of John Eliot Gardiner’s early recordings [PB]

Kagami Mirror viola da gamba Ramee RAM2204

Kagami – Mirror: viola da gamba pieces (Ramée)

Very personal choice of viola da gamba pieces, performed with much sensitivity [JV]

Philarmonica Le Consort Alpha 1011

Philarmonica (Alpha Classics)

Le Consort deserves praise for bringing the music by the mysterious Mrs Philarmonica to our attention [JV]

Coronation george CDA67286

The Coronation of George II (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A wonderful recording of superlative music in performances that surely cannot be bettered [JL]

through the night bis

Through The Night (BIS)

A stimulating medley of the best string music, beautifully executed [RMo]

Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (Pentatone)

A colourful and dramatic performance of “The only perfect English opera” – with a modern twist [GF]

Soaked in Colour (Fuga Libera)

There are a few winners here, but no consistency [MP]

Schubert: The Complete String Trios (Resonus)

Domestic music from Schubert and Purcell played with quiet magic [DMD]

orchestral anthems delphian

English Orchestral Anthems (Delphian)

A terrific disc [JQ]

In the Streets of London – A 17th Century Musical Pub Tour (Fuga Libera)

The music of the people, as heard in London in 1651, played with verve and character [GH]

Queen favourites A527

The Queen’s Favourites (Arcana)

A highly entertaining disc to which the lover of wind music will regularly return [JV]

Frederica von Stade Song Recital Sony78516

Frederica von Stade (mezzo-soprano) Song Recital (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) One of the most sheerly beautiful and instantly recognisable mezzos of the last fifty years [RMo]

crown handel purcell versailles

The Crown (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

These performances of Handel’s Anthems are among the best that I have heard [JV]

Blow Purcell OABD7308D

Blow/Purcell: Operas (Opus Arte)

A delightful baroque double bill in an enjoyable period production and setting [PCG]

Lovesick scotting SIGCD736

Lovesick (Signum Classics)

A beautiful recital of mostly rare 17th Century songs on an immortal subject [GH]

lovesick scotting signum

Lovesick (Signum Classics)

Lovely love songs, best taken in small doses for maximum effect [GF]