next  Iestyn Davies (Guido), Tim Mead, Rosemary Joshua, Renata Pokupic, Hilary Summers, Thomas Walker, Andrew Foster-Williams Early Opera Company Christian Curnyn Chandos, October 2010
after that Bach: Easter Oratorio
and Ascension
Cantata BWV11
Retrospect Ensemble, Matthew Halls
Linn (release 2010/11)
 Solo CD of
Nicola Porpora's cantatas dedicated 'to the Prince of Wales'
Hyperion
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The captivating counter-tenor voice of Iestyn Davies has already graced several recordings but this is the first CD on which he performs an entire solo programme and it is a pure delight... He is a major vocal talent that is blossoming gloriously Geoffrey Norris, Daily Telegraph [...] with a counter-tenor voice as firmly expressive and stage-worthy as his, [Iestyn Davies] deserves all his prizes. This live Wigmore Hall recital ... doesn't catch all the man's charms: you can't be wickedly funny singing Handel's German Arias. But the memorial pieces by Purcell and Blow are divinely elegiac... perfect rapport with the virtuoso musicians of Ensemble Guadagni. Geoff Brown, The Times Davies is among the finest of that current crop of British countertenors equipped with intelligent, sensitive musicianship and a carefully honed technique that enables apparently easeful singing. His voice has an alluring, distinctive richness, and this recital, in which he is sensitively and variously partnered by members of Ensemble Guadagni, tells us that he's also adept at programme planning... Davies is his most affecting in the tender Süsse stille, saufte Quelle, ... even when the music is fast he maintains an essential intimacy. Stephen Pettitt, The Sunday Times [...] the countertenor of the moment with a translucent voice that has no trace of the wobbly feminine bloom or hootiness that can haunt lesser singers. Like Andreas Scholl, there is a sinewy edge to the sound that is unmistakably masculine, however ethereal the music, a quality he amply demonstrates on this... recording... choosing (and sometimes transposing) works that show off his voice to best lyrical effect, chief among them Handel's Nine German Arias, though my favourite is his simply wondrous interpretation of Purcell's sublime Evening Hymn. Stephen Pirtchard, The Guardian ... strong, precise countertenor... There'no trace in Davies' delivery of the epicene floridity to which some countertenors can be prey: rather, emotional acuity prevails, most impressively so in Purcell's Gentle shepherds, you that know, delivered with commendable poise. Andy Gill, The Independent Davies's technical brilliance never fails to impress and his performances display a vivid musical imagination and a compelling sense of rhetoric... Matthew O'Donovan, Classical Music |
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... (and) the
singing of the countertenor
Iestyn Davies (is) enough to justify buying it... (his) He was despised ranks with the best I know. This is one area where the Naxos recording scores (over the Jacobs, Harmonia Mundi record) in that Iestyn Davies provides the excitement that Zazzo lacks. Fanfare Magazine
... tenor Toby
Spence at his thrilling best, The Guardian
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An enthralling disc... this music grips heart, mind and imagination alike. Exaudi are stunning advocates... the soloists are outstanding. This is compulsive listening for admirers of Finnissy, and will win many converts to his music - BBC Music magazine ***** |
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Here they are on excellent form and approach Tavener's blend of cathedral mysticism and Eastern chant with an English sense of drama. The mix is alluring and makes for an attractive Tavener compilation - Amazon |
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The St John's choristers are excellent and they sound as though they believe in every note - BBC Music |
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This is a worthwhile buy for Finzi devotees and novices alike - Amazon |
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St
John's English Choral Music series for Naxos
has won golden opinions and an award or two but there has been nothing better than this - Amazon Gramophone Award nomination |
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A
thrilling, soul-affirming experience - Gramophone
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recordings as a treble |
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