Select Discography

Frederick the Great himself is known to have composed one hundred and twenty-one flute sonatas, four flute concertos, a symphony, various arias and an overture. These works were written in the mixed style advocated by Quantz in an attempt to blend Italian music of the senses with French music of reason. The king’s love of music was real and genuine, and he desired and ensured that others should enjoy it in the same way. As a performer he was probably one of the most distinguished amateurs ever. As a composer he wrote nothing eminent or really original, though some pieces exuded a certain beauty and charm. However, this recording promotes the extraordinary talent of the musicians and composers he surrounded himself with at court, the luminaries of the 18th century, all brought together by one of the greatest musical patrons that ever lived.

Ashley Solomon

Florilegium
Julian Perkins harpsichord continuo, clavichord solo and continuo

'This is the baroque style performed at its best!'

Opus Klassiek 

'..the ensemble's playing really takes wing in JG Graun's Quintet, with its filmy textures and mercurial changes of mood.' 

BBC Music Magazine

'...the wonderfully free, improvisational quality Julian Perkins brings to his duetting with Solomon makes this one of the album's highlights.'

Gramophone

This recording is unique in featuring nine original flutes, many of which are heard here on disc for the first time. The programme is based around these instruments with works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Jean-Marie Leclair, Pietro Locatelli and Georg Philipp Telemann, among others.

Florilegium
Julian Perkins harpsichord continuo

'Expertly accompanied by his colleagues of Florilegium, Solomon's consummate flute technique and superb musicality allow him to bring out the strengths of the various instruments.' 

Early Music Review

This disc features Ashley Solomon performing six eighteenth-century flute concertos on six original flutes – including one made out of  porcelain. Each instrument is matched with repertoire from the period in which it was made. Concertos by Vivaldi, C. P. E. Bach, Quantz, Leclair, Blavet and Woodcock allow the listener to experience and enjoy the colourful soundworld of each of these unique flutes.

Florilegium
Julian Perkins harpsichord continuo

Christopher Purves Saul
Sarah Connolly David
Robert Murray Jonathan
Elizabeth Atherton Merab
Joélle Harvey Michal
Mark Dobell High Priest
Jeremy Budd Witch of Endor
Stuart Young Ghost of Samuel
Eamonn Dougan Abner
Ben Davies Doeg 
Tom Raskin Amalekite

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor 

Julian Perkins organ solo and continuo, carillon

GRAMOPHONE RECORDING OF THE MONTH

'Christopher Purves charms, broods, fumes implacably, plots villainously and confronts his doom vividly in the manner of a Shakespearean tragedian.'  

Gramophone

'...the choruses are always beautifully contoured, as is the incisive playing of The Sixteen's house band.' 

BBC Music Magazine 

James Gilchrist Jephtha
Susan Bickley Storgè
Sophie Bevan Iphis
Robin Blaze Hamor
Matthew Brook Zebul
Grace Davidson Angel

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor 

Julian Perkins organ continuo

'...the most satisfyingly nuanced choral performance I have heard.'

Gramophone

'The singing is superb.'  

BBC Radio 3 CD Review

Johann Sebastian Bach may only have been in his early twenties when he wrote it, but Cantata No 106 (the ‘Actus tragicus’) is a profound contemplation of things final; the motet Komm, Jesu, komm occupies similar eschatalogical territory. This is an inspired programme of some of the most moving vocal music ever written.

Amici Voices
Julian Perkins organ continuo
 

'The combined vocal and instrumental contributions of Amici Voices get right inside the music.'

Gramophone

'This CD from Amici Voices is a triumph.'

Choir & Organ

Julian Perkins also sang as a baritone on a number of recordings with ensembles such as the Monteverdi Choir, for labels including Decca, EMI and Hyperion.