HANDEL: Water Music. Music for The Royal Fireworks.
Le Concert des Nations/Jordi Savall, cond.
ALIA VOX AVSA 9860 TT: 73:51
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PURCELL: Fantasias for the Viols, 1680
Hespèrion XX
ALIA VOX SACD AVSA 9859 TT: 54:10
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BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
Twyla Robinson, soprano; Norman Mariusz Keiwcien, baritone; Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orch/Robert Spano, cond.
TELARC SACD 60701 TT: 67:26
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The two disks featuring Jordi Savall have been available for some time on regular CD; now collectors can enjoy them on SACD remasterings. These impeccable performances are not new recordings. The Handel was recorded in March 1993 in Chateau de Cardona, the Purcell fantasias, in which Savall leads the consort of seven viols, was recorded in the same location in October 1994. I doubt that these were original multi-channel recordings, but sound heard on these SACDS is totally satisfying, rich, warm, resonant and detailed. Highly recommended!

Telarc's new recording of the Brahms German Requiem is a winner in every way—two excellent soloists, fine orchestral playing plus the splendid Atlanta Symphony Chorus. Another plus is the rich "surround sound," that beautifully recreates in your room the chorus and orchestra in front of you, with ambient sound from the rear, soloists perfectly balanced in front of the orchestra. The complete text is provided.

R.E.B. (July 2008)

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