EMA Recording & Book Reviews

The early demise of American mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson left an unfillable hole in the hearts of many listeners. A newly remastered recording captures the burnished beauty of tone, commitment to character, and intensity that made her such an unforgettable artist.

Trésors Oubliés, the debut album from New York's period-instrument Quodlibet Winds, is devoted to music from early 19th-century Paris. The ensemble makes a stellar case for this repertoire. While strict in form, 'there's a sense of freedom and spontaneity that invites listeners inside the music.'

Concordian Dawn's 'Caroles by Candel-lēoht' service, a Christmastime tradition, is the inspiration for the Medieval ensemble's latest album. The music comes from English, Hebrew, Latin, and Sephardic traditions in an often fraught search for 'redemption and salvation.'

A valuable new book (and accompanying website) on protest songs gives insightful political context to music that can seem detached from its original meaning and culture. 'A protest song, like protest itself, is intent upon political change—of ideas, attitudes, or actions.'

Fortepianist Sezi Seskir and cellist Keiran Campbell's fine new recording of Beethoven's two cello sonatas captures the composer's many facets: nuanced, exciting, humorous, and often blazing with joy. Highly recommended.

Raphaël Pichon and his award-winning Pygmalion ensemble move from strength to strength. Their latest is a period-instrument Brahms 'A German Requiem' that's among the best sung and most rewarding versions available.

On the hills outside Florence sits the convent of San Matteo in Arcetri, where nuns once supported themselves by spinning wool and making wine. But the heart of their lives was musical prayer. A bit of detective work connected two 16th c. nuns with a musical manuscript and, now, a glorious new recording.

Boston's Musicians of the Old Post Road have again uncovered music by known composers whose works have been neglected. Their latest album is centered on Christoph Graupner (and a few contemporaries). Here the music is 'so vividly shaped and shot through with energy that the composer’s unique play of rhythm, texture, and harmony remain difficult to ignore.'

Robert L. Kendrick's ambitious new monograph, a detailed look at the oratorio in Catholic Italy and Hapsburg Vienna, covers more than a century of repertoire, connecting Biblical stories — fratricide, child sacrifice, forbidden love, death — with political events and considers the social and moral impact on the listeners.

American countertenor Reginald Mobley's much-anticipated second solo album, 'Solitude,' is a collection of mostly English songs, with familiar tunes and a few surprising additions. Backed by lutenist Brandon Acker and bassist Doug Balliett, it's music of substance and haunting beauty.