ReviewS
PRESS
‘NEWOLDE.com” Promoting Historically-Inspired Performances of Early Music and Baroque Opera
“William Boyce’s reputation has been enhanced greatly by the recent series of four superb recordings of Royal masques and odes by Graham Lea-Cox et al. on ASV GUADEAMUS (now UNIVERSAL ) … “
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18th Century British Symphonies GAU 216 GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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‘Early Music Review’ (UK) Lea-Cox/Hanover Band
“For those with an interest in 18th century music this record is a must, and ranks as a companion to The String Quartet in 18th-cenury England and English Classical Violin Concertos, produced by Hyperion a couple of years ago. … it has been worth waiting for. Graham Lea-Cox has obviously researched the repertoire and chosen some of the best works of the period for inclusion. …The Hanover Band is at their best, the recording ambience is excellent, and this CD cannot be too highly recommended.” Ian Graham-Jones
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Fanfare Magazine (USA)
“… All of the readings reflect current thinking on performance practice: brisk tempos, extreme dynamic ranges, strikingly vivid wind colorations… The Hanover Band is one of the oldest period-instrument ensembles around and, with a number of winning releases under its belt, comes to this repertoire with little, if any, trepidation and a generous helping of enthusiasm. The latter trait is evident at the opening, where the horns burst forth from the orchestral texture in a way I haven’t heard in many a recording. The pungency of the oboes, the softness of the flutes and the reedy quality of the clarinets all add their unique colors to the shimmering and silvery quality of Graham Lea-Cox’s impeccable string section. … With all this in its favor, this is sure to be another star in ASV’s already laden crown.” Robert Emmett.
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H & B Records 18th Century British Symphonies. Lea-Cox/Hanover Band
“There are four world premieres among the six symphonies rescued from oblivion by (Lea-Cox and) the Hanover Band on this collection. It is the first of a new series from (UNIVERSAL / iTUNES) Gaudeamus devoted to early symphonies that have fallen into obscurity. The Hanover Band recordings for ASV have been lavishly praised by the critics, especially for their recent recordings of the music of William Boyce. Given this debut album, this new series will be one to follow closely. Recommended!” hbdirect.com
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Secular Masque – William Boyce
CD GAU 176 – GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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BBC Radio 3 Record Review
” …But the highest praise for this recording is due to the players of The Hanover Band and to the conductor Graham Lea-Cox. Together they capture exactly Boyce’s combination of sturdiness and elegance.” Anthony Burton, BBC Radio 3 Record Review
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Hi-Fi NEWS (UK)
“… This recording certainly should give delight well into the next century: not only is the music enchanting, the performances are full of subtlety and eloquence as well as enthusiasm and spirit. … Graham Lea-Cox, who is responsible for the editions used, directs the performances with great skill and discernment; he is equally successful with the wistful and the vigorous numbers, bringing an almost theatrical flair to the argument of the Masque, pomp to the ceremonial music and grace to the dance numbers.” Peter Branscombe: ‘A: 1’
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Gramophone Magazine UK
Secular Masque: “To anyone who relishes the particular flavour of English music of the mid-eighteenth century, this record is not one to be missed … I shall be playing it repeatedly.” Stanley Sadie
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Ode for St Ceclia’s Day – William Boyce CD GAU 200 GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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* CHOC * La Monde de la Musique (France)
“…cette de’couverte splendid … L’enthousiasme et la conviction des interpr’etes sont des plus communicatifs, et l’on se re’jouit de saluer une de’couverte de premier plan.”
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Western New York Public Radio (USA) “Classical CD nominations .. the ‘Best of 2000’ “
WNED-FM’s program hosts compile for you a list of recommended discs for Classical CD nominations..” (Boyce: Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day UNIVERSAL GAU 200) Nominated by Steve Levinthal
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Gramophone Magazine (UK)
” . . .there are moments of very individual poetry, of exalted feeling, of typically graceful, ‘rural’ English melody, and of sturdy, stirring music.” … “..especially in such attractive performances. Graham Lea-Cox directs it with spirit and sympathy, and with a keen feeling for the right tempos. He draws some splendidly confident and energetic singing from the boys and men of the New College Choir.” Stanley Sadie
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American Record Guide: BOYCE: Cecilian Ode (Article)
“… Apparently ASV is engaged in a complete traversal of Boyce’s choral works, previously issuing The Secular Masque and David’s Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan. Boyce has been seriously underrepresented in the catalog for years, and a serious re-evaluation of his choral music–the anthems also–is long overdue. The performers evince a commitment to this music that is generally found only in recordings of more familiar fare. The soloists are first-class, the chorus alert and articulate, and the band plays with vigor and impeccable musicianship. After you insert this disc in your player, it won’t take long for you to realize that you have been missing music of estimable architecture and stunning brilliance…..” Michael Carter. COPYRIGHT 2000 Record Guide Productions
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Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) / Graham Lea-Cox, Conductor
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“Lea-Cox commenced the work (Dukas, Sorcerer’s Apprentice) in assured fashion, guiding the winds through their jaunty conversations and depictive solos with gratifying good ensemble… Hofmeyr’s Raptus (for violin and large orchestra) couldn’t have been more welcome… Lea-Cox once again provided a sympathetic accompaniment, which appeared well rehearsed and interpretively secure … with some marvellous colour and textural moments. Finally the ‘sublime’ Sixth Symphony (Dvora’k) … the CPO appeared quite at home in the uplands of the Bohemian countryside… and under Lea-Cox’s careful guidance provided a most satisfying tour through its disparate charms.” Deon Irish, Cape Times, Cape Town, South Africa.
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L’Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, Firenze
“…Intelligente peraltro anche la scelta del programma, incentrato sul repertorio ingleses in ommagio alla nazionalita del direttore ospite e che alla prova dei fatti e sembrato ben intornasi alla sua personalita di interprete misurato e signorile. …Il tutto restituito con armoniosa eleganza da Lea-Cox e dall’orchestra fiorentina in una prova moltoordinata e convincente…” La Nazione, Florence, Italy
Oberbergischer Anzeiger – Germany
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas. Concert Performance
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“Disziplinierte Phrasierung, sensible, dynamische Schattierung und Transparenz der einzelnen Stimmen lie en jedes Stuck zu einem Erlebnis werden. Den gutgeschulten Sangern dieses Ensembles steht mit G. Lea-Cox ein uberlegener Leiter zur Seite, der mit sparsamen Dirigat, aber doch zwingender Gestik ein Maximum erzielt, der geradezu modellierend die Einzelsanger zu einem Klangkollectiv formt, in dem der einzelne seinen Gestaltungswillen nicht aufgeben muss.”
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Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) Cape Town, South Africa: Shostakovitch Violin Concerto No 1: Zoë Beyers Violin/Graham Lea-Cox
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“… Beyers’ playing here was exquisite. Graham Lea-Cox considers Shostakovitch a favourite and, together with the orchestra, gave a performance of merit …” Die Burger, South Africa
Prokofiev 50th Anniversary Concert
” … The Symphony {Prokofiev No. 5, Op 100)…received due and weighty consideration… conductor and orchestra used the occasion to pay a worthy tribute to a great Symphonist. ” Deon Irish, Cape Times
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David’s Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan – William Boyce GAU 208 GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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BBC Music Magazine
” Following his widely acclaimed recent recording of Boyce’s Ode for St Cecilia’s Day(ASV), Graham Lea-Cox has come up with another rarity by the composer, David’s Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan. The disc further includes another, smaller-scale St Cecilia’s Day ode as well as two arias and a recitative from the earlier London version of the Lamentation. Boyce wrote the work in 1736 when he was 24 years old but revised it for performances in Dublin during the mid-1740s.
It’s a beautifully crafted piece introduced by a deeply affecting two-movement Overture in G minor whose initial gesture momentarily recalls one of Bach’s great laments, in the same key, contained in the opening chorus of his cantata Jesu, der du meine Seele (BWV 78). Lea-Cox has assembled much the same forces as he fielded for the ‘St Cecilia Ode’, that’s to say, the Choir of New College, Oxford, and the Hanover Band. And, as before, and with similarly happy results he uses boys from the choir for all the soprano, and some of the alto solos.
Boyce sustains the melancholy, sometimes broodingly intense character of this dramatic scene – it’s not really an oratorio – wonderfully well, punctuating the sections of an overtly ‘lament’ character with some vigorous airs and passages of accompagnato, in which the mighty shadow of Handel is often present.In short, this is a world premiere recording most urgently to be acquired. The overture alone should be enough to tempt readers but, if not, the poignant chorus ‘For Saul, for Jonathan, they fast, they weep’ should do the trick.
Performance ***** Sound *****
Nicholas Anderson © BBC Music Magazine
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Pindar’s Ode; New Year Ode 1774 – William Boyce CD GAU 23 – GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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Gramophone Magazine (UK)
“A fine end to Lea-Cox’s Boyce survey … Here is another disc – the last, alas! – in the Boyce series from Graham Lea-Cox …(who) draws unfailingly stylish playing from the Hanover Band.” Stanley Sadie
International Record Review
“…This is the fourth and sadly the last of (Lea-)Cox’s survey of Boyce’s odes, oratorios and masques for ASV Gaudeamus. The series has been a triumph: the British Baroque has never sounded so good. ” Simon Heighes
classicnet.com
Pindar’s Ode; New Year Ode 1774: “Recitatives and ariosos abound aplenty here but all is executed with consummate ease and lavish beauty by (Lea-) Cox and his period instrument team… A most satisfying issue that continues to bolster Boyce’s reputation.” Gerald Fenech
MusicWeb-International
“Our deepest gratitude must however go to the conductor Graham Lea-Cox for his faith in, and his advocacy for, this fine music. The recording is excellent; and the booklet prints the words of both Odes. Highly recommended.” Philip L Scowcroft
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Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day -William Boyce GAU CD 200 GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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Daily Telegraph, UK.
‘Classical CD of the week’
“This fresh and imaginative piece (Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day) boasts a seemingly inexhaustible flow of delightful melody and countless felicitous examples of vocal and instrumental word-painting that recall the Handel of Acis and Galatea.” “The performance is fully worthy of this fine music – the excellent singers and players are all on top form – and the sound has a wonderful crystalline clarity.” Elizabeth Roche
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Secular Masque – William Boyce CD GAU 176 GAUDEAMUS / UNIVERSAL
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CD Compact (Spain)
“…Tanto los inte’rpretes vocals como los que componen la Hanover Band han insuflado una contagiosa energi’a que se nota en cada compa’s, desde la obertura, de cara’cter tripartite (con un precioso minueto como colofo’n de la misma) hasta el coro final. Graham Lea-Cox les ha dirigido con mano firme pero sin excluir una Buena dosis de estimulante espontaneidad.”
{“The singers as much as the instrumentalists of the Hanover Band have all brought to this recording a contagious energy which is notable at every beat, from the overture…right through to the final chorus. Graham Lea-Cox has directed them with a firm hand, but without eliminating a good dose of stimulating spontaneity.”} CD Compact (Spain)
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Göteborgsoperan, Teater-och Operahögskolan. Sweden. Tjoloholm Slott
Mozart: ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’, Knut Sommer, Regiseur, Deutschen Oper Berlin
Goteborgs-Posten, Sweden
…. “(a) glorious first night… the singers had the extraordinarily fine support of conductor Graham Lea-Cox, who coaxed the musicians into finding the essence of every note.”
” I do not think I have ever experienced a more detailed and thoroughly worked performance of Figaro – every gesture, every expression, every look…such virtuoso acting and ensemble is unthinkable on a larger institutional stage, whether in Vienna, Munich, Glyndebourne or Drottningholm. .. not for a bar was the brilliance and beauty of the voices lacking, sung with unfailing musicality… …Three and a half hours of opera without one weak moment is nothing less than a triumph! ” P.G. Berefors, Göteborgs Posten.
Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm
” A miracle – a triumph! A phenomenal production! Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm.
[Translated from the Swedish]