1 September 2024

Queen of Hearts
Studio Master: CDA68453  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘All in all this is a treasure trove of works, some little known and rarely performed, in a wide variety of styles and vocal scorings spanning the first half of the 16th century. Beautifully sung and meticulously researched, it will generously repay repeated hearings’ (Gramophone)
1 September 2024

Reformation
Studio Master: CDA68445  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Rushdie Momen’s choice of pieces is attractively varied. Her playing is gently inflected and she never tries to emulate the vastly different techniques of earlier instruments … what emerges from Momen’s recital is her affection for her chosen programme. The pieces by Byrd and Gibbons are especially rewarding’ (BBC Music Magazine)
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING
1 September 2024

Reformation
Studio Master: CDA68445  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘[Mishka Rushdie Momen] seeks an underlying spirituality to the music. The playing is smoother, the touch lighter, the aim more to comfort the mind than arrest it … less dramatic but more even-tempered and sometimes even delightfully sentimental, Momen’s approach is different but no less satisfying. I admired [Kit] Armstrong’s freedom and flirtation with anachronism, but I find this album exerts a stronger emotional appeal. It makes a fine complement to the earlier one, even with a number of works overlapping. If this is to be core repertoire for contemporary pianists, then bring on the pleasure of comparing and contrasting multiple artists grappling with the same material’ (Gramophone)
1 September 2024
Fanfare, USA, James Harrington
Russian Variations
Studio Master: CDA68428  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Piers Lane is unquestionably one of the best and most versatile pianists in the world … there is probably not a better pianist these days than Lane for this kind of program. He keeps the themes ever present while enjoying all the wonderful things the composers do with them … as with all Hyperion releases, the recorded piano sound is superb and the booklet essay is very well written and quite informative. This is a highly recommended disc that will stay on my active listening stack for quite some time’ (Fanfare, USA)
1 September 2024
Fanfare, USA, Michelle Dulak Thomson
Schubert: String Quartets D112 & 887
Studio Master: CDA68423  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘The finale, which returns to the major-to-minor-and-back-again motif of the first, is a joyous romp, however arduous the paces first violinist Edward Dusinberre is put through. Richard O’Neill, the new violist, is outstanding here, too, especially in the closing peroration. The quartet takes the unusual step, incidentally, of not omitting the exposition repeat in the first movement … Schubert’s lengths, in this case, really are heavenly’ (Fanfare, USA)
31 August 2024
BBC Record Review, Andrew McGregor
Bach: Preludes, Inventions & Sinfonias
Studio Master: CDA68448  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘These are such lovely little pieces—fifty-five of them—and Mahan’s skill, musicality, delightful ornamentation and emotional sensitivity mean you don’t get tired of them at all. Such a good recording: you could almost reach out and play one of the parts yourself, and if you’re a keyboard player you’ll want to—your fingers will be twitching. It’s a good series, this’ (BBC Record Review)
30 August 2024
The Art of Pianists, Bryce Morrison
Beethoven: Hammerklavier
Studio Master: CDA68456  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Hamelin is masterful … Hyperion's sound and presentation are admirable as always’ (The Art of Pianists)
30 August 2024
The Europadisc Review
Obrecht: Scaramella
Studio Master: CDA68460  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Kirkman and his singers guide the listener through this absorbing musical landscape with a sureness of pulse, immaculate intonation and brightness of timbre that are endlessly compelling, bringing out all the beauty of Obrecht’s contrapuntal mastery while revelling in the sheer exuberance of the textures … this disc is a very fitting tribute [to the late Philip Weller], which fairly bubbles over with the enthusiasm he had for music and for his fellow creatures. And as a continuation of the Binchois Consort’s continuing probing exploration of music from the 15th century, it’s simply unmissable’ (The Europadisc Review)» More
29 August 2024
WPR, USA, Stephanie Elkins
Reformation
Studio Master: CDA68445  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘Rushdie Momen not only performs these pieces exquisitely, but also writes about them in an evocative way, referring to her role being 'to animate and recreate this music, not merely to describe or reproduce the text' … [noting] that much is known about the Elizabethans but 'often what is missing is people’s true, private feelings and inner worlds.' She has tapped into those feelings and worlds, sharing them in a deeply sensitive and open way through this music’ (WPR, USA)
27 August 2024
The Times, Geoff Brown
Bach: Preludes, Inventions & Sinfonias
Studio Master: CDA68448  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

‘This is the kind of album you wish would never end’ (The Times)» More

25 August 2024
SWR Kultur, Germany, Doris Blaich
Queen of Hearts
Studio Master: CDA68453  Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

„Einfach überwältigend gut—die Stimmen mischen sich perfekt, weiche Höhe, markante Tiefe, blitzesaubere Intonation und Vokalfärbung; dieses Ensemble singt mit einem wunderbaren Fluss und schafft grade die richtige Balance zwischen Spannung und Ruhe, die für die Musik der Renaissance so wichtig ist“ (SWR Kultur, Germany)» More
21 August 2024
Klassisk, Denmark, Mikael Garnæs
Schubert: String Quartets D112 & 887
Studio Master: CDA68423  RECORD OF THE MONTH   Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available

'Musikerne holder fint sammen på det stort anlagte værk, hvor alene førstesatsen varer over tyve minutter. Der er en spændende, tilbageholdt kraft i førstesatsen, hvor de kommer ned i det mest tyste piano uden at tabe intensitet eller velklang … Den italiensk-inspirerede finale er nok kvartettens umiddelbart mest tilgængelige sats, og den bliver virtuost spillet, let og dansende og med en gennemført skøn klang' (Klassisk, Denmark)

More