Entries by Jessica Massey

Samson – The Scotsman Review

Wednesday, 11th December 2019 in , /by

Ken Walton, The Scotsman ★★★★★ This is another John Butt spectacular, the ensemble’s effervescent director eliciting a performance that captures the emotion of Handel’s exceptional writing… Read the full review here.

Samson – Gramophone Review

Monday, 9th December 2019 in , /by

Richard Wigmore, Gramophone This new Samson now becomes the top recommendation: for its uniformly excellent soloists, its excitingly ‘present’ choral singing, and above all, its urgent sense of theatre. Read the full review in the December issue of Gramophone.

Samson – BBC Radio 3 Record Review

Monday, 28th October 2019 in , /by

Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3 As Samson, Joshua Ellicott navigates the tightrope between opera and oratorio really well … That’s one of the joys of Butt’s new recording, revelling in the dramatic colour of Handel’s imaginative scoring. Listen to the full review here.

Samson – Planet Hugill Review

Monday, 28th October 2019 in , /by

Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill ★★★★★ Butt’s thoughtful and intelligent response to Handel’s music gradually seemed to be most natural and created a finely satisfying whole … a profound response to Handel’s music and Milton and Newburgh Hamilton’s words. Read the full review here.

Samson – The Herald Review

Monday, 28th October 2019 in , /by

Keith Bruce, The Herald With the Consort’s best instrumentalists in place and Linn Records’ Philip Hobbs producing, this is an immaculate, and hugely important, recording. More prizes assuredly await. Read the full review here.

Prom 71 – Bach Night – The Times Review

Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 in , /by

Neil Fisher, The Times ★★★★ ‘There was a frisson from hearing period instruments used in such unexpected ways… [Butt’s] lively tempos produced plenty of lithe, energetic playing, and enough body in the strings to bring the music out into the vastness of the space. ‘ Read the full review here.

Prom 71 – Bach Night – Seen and Heard International Review

Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 in , /by

Agnes Kory, Seen and Heard International ‘The most astonishing aspect of this concert was the unity of players within each section, and the unity of the newly commissioned Bach companion pieces with their designated Suites… the oneness of the flutes gave an extraordinary demonstration… I heard only one while my eyes saw all three. The […]