Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9

SYMPHONY No. 9

Mary Bevan / Allan Clayton / Carducci String Quartet / Graham J. Lloyd IAN VENABLES Love Lives Beyond the Tomb

                                                LOVE LIVES BEYOND THE TOMB

The Myrthen Ensemble SONGS TO THE MOON

This first recording from The Myrthen Ensemble is a 2-CD presentation of solo and group art songs inspired by the moon. The group was formed by pianist Joseph Middleton with a quartet of his regular vocal collaborators including Mary Bevan, Clara Mouriz, Allan Clayton and Marcus Farnsworth. Warlock, Barber and Maconchy contribute English-language art songs, which are used to introduce each disc. Brahms and Schumann fill the remainder of disc one. There are performances of individual distinction—Mouriz in Brahms’s Ständchen and Bevan in Schumann’s Mondnacht, for example. Were it not for a similar recording from Graham Johnson’s The Songmakers’ Almanac (Hyperion), then The Myrthen Ensemble would be without competition, but Johnson and company come out on top largely due to experience rather than any lack of musicality on the part of these newcomers. The second disc ranges across French-language solos and duets with a greater sense of nuance by Mompou, Hahn, Debussy, Massenet, Duparc, Fauré and Szulc. Clayton proves a useful tenor and Farnsworth a sonorous baritone;, they both complement Bevan and Mouriz with sensitivity. Joseph Middleton reinforces his reputation as the finest accompanist amongst younger generations, keenly realising the inferences that his part brings to the songs. Excellent sound, authoritative notes from Middleton and Richard Stokes, as well as texts and translations add to this rewarding nocturnal journey. Well worth exploring. (Classical Ear)

Early Opera Company / Christian Curnyn HANDEL Acis and Galatea

The award-winning Early Opera Company under the direction of founder Christian Curnyn celebrates the 300^th anniversary of the premiere of one of Handel’s most sublime creations: Acis and Galatea.

This unique interpretation is performed as Handel himself specified in the manuscript: supported by fourteen period instruments, the outstanding cast of singers takes on the solo parts as well as the magnificent choruses. This is Handel writing at his highest levels of intimacy and intensity; the music superbly supports the libretto's evocative portrayal of the story, simultaneously restrained, economical, and deeply moving.

It is exquisite music, and has been the Early Opera Company’s most frequently requested and played performance over the last few years. With the addition of Baroque experts Lucy Crowe and Benjamin Hulett, previously featured on the award-winning Chandos recording of Alceste, this album in surround sound is not only an extraordinary achievement for the company but a must-have for all early music lovers.