W. A. Mozart: Così fan tutte

W. A. Mozart: Così fan tutte

groups

Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich

Louise Alder Fiordiligi
Avery Amereau Dorabella
Sandrine Piau Despina
Sebastian Kohlhepp Ferrando
Konstantin Krimmel Guglielmo
Christian Gerhaher Don Alfonso 

Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Bayerisches Staatsopernchor
Benedict Andrews stage director
Vladimir Jurowski conductor 

Julian Perkins fortepiano continuo



G. F. Handel: Acis and Galatea

G. F. Handel: Acis and Galatea

Opus Arte [DVD]

groups

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Danielle de Niese Galatea
Charles Workman Acis
Matthew Rose Polyphemus
Paul Agnew Damon
Ji-Min Park Coridon

The Royal Ballet
The Royal Opera Extra Chorus
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Wayne McGregor stage director
Christopher Hogwood conductor 

Julian Perkins harpsichord continuo
 

'Charles Workman and Danielle de Niese had bags of vocal and personal charm in the title roles, with strong contributions from Matthew Rose as Polyphemus and Paul Agnew and Ji-Min Park as attendant shepherds...'

The Daily Telegraph
 

'The period instrumentalists of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment infuse the score with crackling verve and airy grace under Christopher Hogwood's stylish hand.'

New York Classical Review

 



Henry Purcell: Dido and Aeneas

Henry Purcell: Dido and Aeneas

Opus Arte [DVD]

groups

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Sarah Connolly Dido
Lucas Meachem Aeneas
Lucy Crowe Belinda
Sara Fulgoni Sorceress
Anita Watson Second Woman
Eri Nakamura First Witch
Pumeza Matshikiza Second Witch
Ji-Min Park Sailor
Iestyn Davies Spirit

The Royal Ballet
The Royal Opera Extra Chorus
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Wayne McGregor stage director
Christopher Hogwood conductor 

Julian Perkins harpsichord continuo
 

'Christopher Hogwood rises to the challenge of this poignantly sombre production by drawing superbly expressive playing from the OAE and equally fine singing from the Royal Opera Extra Chorus.'

The Times

'[Hogwood's] continuo section - harpsichord, theorbo, cello, and chamber organ - is impressive, and he can get a true rumble out of the whole band very effectively (the music before the Witches' Dance truly growls).'

Classics Today
 



G. F. Handel: Brockes Passion

G. F. Handel: Brockes Passion

AAM Records [3 CDs]

groups

Robert Murray Evangelist
Cody Quattlebaum Christus
Elizabeth Watts soprano
Ruby Hughes soprano
Tim Mead Judas

Academy of Ancient Music
Richard Egarr director & harpsichord

Julian Perkins organ continuo

 

'The superb playing and singing of the AAM go beyond mere notions of good Handelian style, while all the soloists 'live' their roles with operatic vividness.'

Gramophone


'The AAM soloists and instrumentalists communicated the musical drama and feeling with compelling commitment and power.'

Opera Today



G. F. Handel: Saul

G. F. Handel: Saul

CORO [3 CDs]

groups

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 



G. F. Handel: Jephtha

G. F. Handel: Jephtha

CORO [3 CDs]

groups

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



Music for a King: Chamber works from the Court of Frederick the Great

Music for a King: Chamber works from the Court of Frederick the Great

groups

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



The Spohr Collection, volume 1

The Spohr Collection, volume 1

groups

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



The Spohr Collection, volume 2

The Spohr Collection, volume 2

groups

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

 



Bach Cantatas Nos 106 & 182

Bach Cantatas Nos 106 & 182

groups

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.