Label Reviews

“This excellent recording is one of the best I have reviewed for some time”

“Dan Locklair’s is a highly personal Requiem, dedicated to his parents and clearly evolved over many years” ★★★★

“Dr. Locklair’s Requiem takes its place comfortably among the known Requiems”

“Performances of Cooman’s and Rosner’s music here are good, if not outstanding”

“I can only commend this ensemble to any composer anxious to expand their creative imagination” ★★★★★

“This is a subtly organised and surprising diverse programme and I enjoyed every minute”

“Showcases a unique gift for writing chant lines that can have pace, direction, and texture, without losing the essence of plainchant”

“Carefully planned, [Briginshaw’s album] chronologically charts a stimulating path through Warlock’s song-writing career” ★★★★

“Hall captures this range of emotions well, and tells the tragic tale with remarkable clarity”

“Convivium wrap the Korros Ensemble up in warm, resonant sound that allows the harp in particular to glitter against a generous acoustic”

“An impressive showcase of Pavlea’s compositional skills... her motif writing in particular shines through”

“All in all, an impressive display, showcasing another side to Warlock, as well as this talented duo”

“The performances are impressive with clear, crisp diction”

“A disc to make us re-consider: Peter Warlock Songbook from Luci Briginshaw and Eleanor Meynell” ★★★★

“The entrancing quality of Briginshaw’s voice, combined with Meynell’s mesmerising playing makes for a beautiful ensemble timbre that feels truly meaningful as well as utterly transfixing”

“The choir bring all their generous tone and near-perfect vocal blend to this attractive score” ★★★★

“Enjoyable and honest performance, with excellent sleeve notes by David Owen Norris” ★★★

“Archer brings delicacy, precision and lightness of touch”

“Played with confidence and wit; the engineering is first-rate; and the program notes are refreshingly full”

“Tonal but absolutely breathtaking in its complexity”

“Archer seeks to find his own tempos for each variations… allowing for each variation to be distinguishable”

“Well sung and sensitively accompanied”

“The performances stand up well and the recording quality is equally laudable”

“Very thoughtful, deliberate, and expressive form of musical writing”

“Well-chosen popular songs; perfect tuning throughout” ★★★★★

“Perfect listening for lifting one’s spirits”

“Hugh Benham speaks with Malcolm Archer”

“Both singers negotiate technical challenges very well”

“Different musical personalities”

“This is music that benefits from what you’re willing to bring to it”

“A treasure trove of “new to us” sacred choral music”

“The passionate performance, directed by Dan Ludford-Thomas, catches the essence of the story” ★★★★

“Technically flawless and charmingly original”

“An amusing juxtaposition of inspirations, and it keeps the music interesting”

An interview by Carson Cooman (Fanfare) with the composer John Carbon and pianist, Steven Graff.

“Impeccably phrased, with superb intonation and ensemble, directed with assurance by Hilary Campbell” ★★★★★

“A beautifully relaxing album to listen to”

“Drawing the listener in a timeless manner to the gate of heaven”

“Great clarity of tone and precision as well as rich energy from Blossom Street & Hilary Campbell”

“Highly impressive collection from two clearly talented young singers”

“The first word I wrote when listening to this album of a cappella American music was ‘perfection’” ★★★

“Helping the listener spiritually enter into another realm” ★★★

“A rewarding disc of ‘contemplative’ music, skilfully written and with many moments of radiant beauty”

“A glorious blaze of sound-colour” ★★★★

“Forthright and committed performances of the music” ★★★★

“A great discovery – and always a good sign when a recording of a ‘new’ composer makes me want to seek out more of their music” ★★★★

“Tsaldarakis and Archontides have clearly developed a strong affinity for this music… a very enjoyable discovery”

“National Children’s Choir of Great Britain sing with real fervour and wonderful ensemble throughout” ★★★★

“Appleyard’s sensitive and expressive singing is ideal for the repertoire, imparting an entirely appropriate air of gentle innocence to the melodic lines”

“Humor leavened by heart and sophistication”

“An excellent example of research-led musicianship, bringing to light a little-known backwater of English music of the Restoration period”

“My high expectations were met without delay” ★★★★★

“A powerful reminder of the power of music to involve young people and communicate strong messages”

“Sends a message of hope sung tenderly, child to child, by this wonderful choir”

“A proficient composer with a gift for setting familiar words in ways that shed new light on the texts”

“Willow Consort tackles everything with relaxed authority” ★★★

An interview by Carson Cooman (Fanfare) with the composer John Carbon and pianist, Steven Graff.

“Hilary Campbell delivers these two highly personal Masses with brisk confidence” ★★★★

“A moving cantata that tells a remarkable story” ★★★★

“A valuable addition to the catalogue and a fitting and vital tribute to Henry Aldrich”

“Sung throughout with genuine feeling and emotion”

“This music is absolutely exquisite”

“Technically perfect” ★★★★★

“Attractive and lovingly performed music” ★★★★★

“The many technical challenges have been triumphantly surmounted by Hilary Campbell and Blossom Street in assured and committed performances”

“All the works on the disc deserve to be discovered” ★★★★

“This is all attractive, useful music and deserves wider currency with church choirs”

“Never less than fascinating music”

“Benham has a gift of melody and the happy ability to fit words and tunes together” ★★★★

“An excellent introduction to the choral music of this gifted composer”

“Beautiful renditions of devotional American choral music” ★★★★★

“Always full of beauty” ★★★★★

“Immediately attractive, low-key, contemplative, and moving” ★★★★★

“the singing of Excelsis, a fine group of young musicians, is beyond reproach”

“Attractive, approachable music”

“Nonsuch Singers get into the groove very convincingly” ★★★★

“Beautifully produced showcase recording” ★★★

Launching a record label at the start of what has proved an economically unstable decade was a risk – but Convivium Records has weathered the storms. Founder and managing director Adrian Green talks to Helen Cocks (Choir & Organ)

“Performances are first rate”

“If the thought of contemporary choral music makes you uneasy rest assured that this disc is most approachable and all the music is played and sung very well indeed” 9/10

“Uniformly excellent”

“an evening of impressive performances from all, but special congratulations must go to Nonsuch Singers and Bullard for achieving the rare feat of pulling off the transition into the world of jazz and swing with such skill"

“Attractively melodic music from a young contemporary composer, in engaging performances” ★★★

SANSARA “The early years of a remarkable choir” (Cathedral Music Magazine)

“For when you want to escape the hustle and bustle”

“Committed and convincing performances throughout”

Nick Boston from Classical Notes speaks with the director of Lumen Chamber Choir, Benjamin Thiele-Long.

“Truly exceptional new music”

“A big and stable sound that never becomes strident”

“Enthusiastically received by an international audience”

“The music itself is well worth hearing” 7/10

“Sung throughout with genuine feeling and emotion”

Steven Whitehead speaks with Malcolm Archer on Winchester College Chapel Choir and their recording of Mozart’s Requiem.

“As a journey back in time this is fascinating” 7/10

“Lovingly prepared and presented”

“A unique group of young singers who perform to the highest standards”

“Appealing, lively and fresh, coping with the technical demands admirably” ★★★★

“Engaging and colourful version of Handel’s sacred chamber music” ★★★★★

“Words alone cannot begin to describe the emotional and dramatic content of this outstanding programme”

Tony Cummings from Cross Rhythms speaks with the opera singer turned bestselling composer of choral music Margaret Rizza

“Here is something new, American choral music recorded by English choirs”

“An intriguing and most rewarding disc” ★★★★★

“Cesari embraces the virtuosic”

“Thomson’s performances are exemplary”

“Her music has a pleasing melodic facility which makes for attractive listening”

“SANSARA slips easily into the elite ranks of exceptional performers” ★★★★★

“A work of art”

“Excellent committed performances”

“Choral singing with real depth” ★★★★

Robert Hugill speaks with Adrian Green about Convivium Records

“Features the kind of music one might enjoy but not be able to articulate why”

“A very worthwhile collection of a cappella choral writing”

“A charming snapshot of a voice at its best”

“It is rare that one hears such a gratifying combination of new music, new organ and young player” ★★★★★

“Deserves wider international recognition” ★★★

“Nonsuch singers produce a consistently clean, bright sound and a pleasing blend that suits Jackson’s work” ★★★★

“Finely crafted and highly effective” ★★★

“A personal and expressive response to the texts, being set with care, vision and with faith”

“Distinguished debut disc”

“this disc would make a nice gift for someone who enjoys listening to classical music”

“Highly accessible”

“Large scale, multi-textual multi-layered Magnificat which dazzles with its seductive textures” ★★★★

“A most promising new work…” ★★★★

“Beautiful, excellent and sometimes frightening”

“A magical development of a solo melody instrument”

“Appealing, lively and fresh, coping with the technical demands admirably” ★★★★

“A seriously impressive disc”

“Worthy of further investigation” ★★★★

“Musicians from different traditions bring a new twist to 20th century and contemporary Spanish music” ★★★★

“Chamber music with Spanish roots"

“Highly professional”

“The main piece here is a surprise” ★★★★

“Some CDs are hard to review but easy to summarize, and this is one of them. It’s a lot of fun!”

“Cooman’s sense of the drama of the texts is palpable in the music”

“Sospiri delivered it with exquisite simplicity and unforced grace” ★★★★

“Well executed & Beautifully sung”

“Accomplished and well Recorded”

“Finely shaped, flexible and beautifully focussed performances” ★★★★

“Fine, sympathetic performances” ★★★★

“Thoughtful and imaginative disc, reflecting Portsmouth Cathedral’s use of plainchant within their liturgy” ★★★★

“Genuinely impressive”, “Essential listening” ★★★

"James Bowman speaks about the making of his album” (Cathedral Music Magazine)

“Singing of the most beautiful quality, admirably controlled”

“Winchester College Chapel Choir stand comparison with any cathedral choir”

“Listeners who are ready to extend their horizons will get much from this pleasant collection” 9/10

“Sung with fine control”

“Sensitive, elegant, peaceful”

“Bowman’s artistry remains undimmed”

“A satisfyingly intense and distinctive instrumental project”

“Warm, melodic, soothing, and concordant”

“Intricacies are presented with utmost clarity”

“Rewarding”

“Musical structures that unashamedly require you ally your ears with an analytical brain”

“An expression of Margaret Rizza’s own faith” ★★★

“Beautifully interpreted”

“A chant starts in the head and begins the longest journey in the world”

“Archer writes exceedingly good tunes”

“His instinct for text is evident…” ★★★

“Convivium Singers are in excellent voice: the sound is clean and fresh”

“A delightful surprise”

“The choral sound is young, vibrant and energetic”

“I expect this disc to join me on my desert island”

“There is much to admire in the enthusiasm of this ensemble” ★★★

“A sheer joy to behold”

“Powell makes a persuasive case for his music’s occasional revival” ★★★★

“An attractive introduction to the composer”

“My discovery and disc of the year by far” ★★★★★

“This ear-opening set ought to be a mandatory purchase”