CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Essential Purcell

by: Henry Purcell, New College Choir Oxford, King's Consort, Robert King, Roy Goodman, Charles Daniels, John Mark Ainsley, James Bowman, Peter Buckoke, Jane Coe, Rogers Covey-Crump, Gillian Fisher, Michael George, Miles Golding, Jane Norman, Barbara Bonney, Mark Caudle, William Carter, King's Consort Choir, Helen Gough, Paul Nicholson, Angela East, Barry Guy, Tessa Bonner, Jerome Finnis, Rupert Bawden, Lucy Howard, Richard Campbell, Susan Addison, James O'Donnell, Stephen Saunders

Release Date April 10, 1995
Seriously, whether if you have no idea exactly what kind of composer Purcell was, or only plan to buy only one CD of his music (God forbid!), this record will knock you off, in a very pleasant and surprising way. I don't like to write superlatives, but this CD has unanimously 5 stars with non-ceasing praises, and guess what: it is THAT good. So good that is gives a good case for few of those who believes that Purcell was a greater composer than Handel or even Bach! Just listen to "Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day" (second last track) and be awed; it is comparable to one of the best of Bach's cantata's single movement. If you truly like good music, you cannot afford to NOT have this CD: you will thank me and other reviewers here later, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Bach: Lutheran Masses Vol.1

by: Peter Harvey, Catherine Latham, Mark Padmore, Jane Rogers, Stephen Preston, The Purcell Quartet, Sinéad Bradbeer

Release Date June 22, 1999
I have listened to this CD over and over again and enjoy it more each time. I disagree that these performances are sub-par in any way. I find the blending of the voices and the music soothing and well done. On more than one occasion I have even been brought to tears.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Bach: Lutheran Masses, Vol. 2

by: Peter Buckoke, Michael Chance, Peter Harvey, Catherine Latham, Mark Padmore, Anthony Halstead, Roger Montgomery, The Purcell Quartet

Release Date March 28, 2000
'I PLACE MUSIC NEXT TO THEOLOGY AND GIVE IT THE HIGHEST PRAISE': MARTIN LUTHER.

Martin Luther was himself a singer and luteinist. He made it clear to all that his objections to the Roman church were theological, not liturgical.

Therefore Bach was given considerable freedom in his writing as long as the text adhered to correct biblical teachings. His burden was great for he was required to produce music for every Sunday and special holy days; thus the numerous cantatas and organ preludes,Passions etc.

When he finally got around to composing the Mass in G major, he approached it mainly as one of selecting and reworking masterpieces from the cantatas, a process known as 'parody'. And it is indeed fascinating ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Bach: Harpsichord Concertos, Vol. 4 - BWV 1052 / BWV 1061 / BWV 1044

from: Chandos

Release Date September 21, 1999
'I PLACE MUSIC NEXT TO THEOLOGY AND GIVE IT THE HIGHEST PRAISE': MARTIN LUTHER.

Martin Luther was himself a singer and luteinist. He made it clear to all that his objections to the Roman church were theological, not liturgical.

Therefore Bach was given considerable freedom in his writing as long as the text adhered to correct biblical teachings. His burden was great for he was required to produce music for every Sunday and special holy days; thus the numerous cantatas and organ preludes,Passions etc.

When he finally got around to composing the Mass in G major, he approached it mainly as one of selecting and reworking masterpieces from the cantatas, a process known as 'parody'. And it is indeed fascinating ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Hummel, Schubert, Schumann: Piano Quintets

from: Hyperion UK

Release Date September 17, 1996
'I PLACE MUSIC NEXT TO THEOLOGY AND GIVE IT THE HIGHEST PRAISE': MARTIN LUTHER.

Martin Luther was himself a singer and luteinist. He made it clear to all that his objections to the Roman church were theological, not liturgical.

Therefore Bach was given considerable freedom in his writing as long as the text adhered to correct biblical teachings. His burden was great for he was required to produce music for every Sunday and special holy days; thus the numerous cantatas and organ preludes,Passions etc.

When he finally got around to composing the Mass in G major, he approached it mainly as one of selecting and reworking masterpieces from the cantatas, a process known as 'parody'. And it is indeed fascinating ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Distance & Enchantment - Chamber Works By Judith Weir

by: Jane Salmon, Mayumi Seiler, Susan Tomes, Timothy Boulton, Richard Lester, Krysia Osostowicz, Petra Casen, The Schubert Ensemble of London

Release Date October 24, 1995
This disc brings together fascinating chamber music by one of the most wonderful composers of our time. Weir's music truly is full of wonder, and also the great gift of an immediately memorable sound-world - and from the smallest number of instruments.I have heard - and performed - hundreds of pieces of new music and, though there have been equals, none have been more compelling to me on first hearing (nor more satisfying to perform) than Distance and Enchantment and the other works on this disc.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Dvorak: String Quintet In G/Intermezzo In B/String Quartet In E

from: Hyperion UK

Release Date August 09, 1994
This disc brings together fascinating chamber music by one of the most wonderful composers of our time. Weir's music truly is full of wonder, and also the great gift of an immediately memorable sound-world - and from the smallest number of instruments.I have heard - and performed - hundreds of pieces of new music and, though there have been equals, none have been more compelling to me on first hearing (nor more satisfying to perform) than Distance and Enchantment and the other works on this disc.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Bach: Harpsichord Concertos, Vol.2

from: Chandos

Release Date March 17, 1998
This disc brings together fascinating chamber music by one of the most wonderful composers of our time. Weir's music truly is full of wonder, and also the great gift of an immediately memorable sound-world - and from the smallest number of instruments.I have heard - and performed - hundreds of pieces of new music and, though there have been equals, none have been more compelling to me on first hearing (nor more satisfying to perform) than Distance and Enchantment and the other works on this disc.