Reviews by the editorial staff of Early Music America. Have a new CD or book? Submit it for consideration.
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CD Review: Glorious Works By Plague-Stricken Composers
The idea for a recording centered on composers who died of mysterious and terrifying diseases came to the musicians of Les Barocudas in September 2019, months before COVID-19 swept the globe.
CD Review: Soprano Glistens In Pieces By Composer-Singer Strozzi
On this new album of cantatas and arias from Barbara Strozzi’s eighth and last publication, soprano Elissa Edwards soars in what likely was Strozzi’s own role as singer.
Book Review: Tunes To Savor When Plagues Rage
'Lord Have Mercy Upon Us: Songs and Hymns in Time of Plague' offers the reader/performer a grisly banquet to entertain us in our self-isolation.
CD Review: Ballard Lute Works Seize The Limelight
On what appears to be the first entire album dedicated solely to Robert Ballard, Richard Kolb performs 29 of the pieces in the Premier livre.
CD Review: McKay Lodge Triumphs With Corelli And Friends
American violinist Augusta McKay Lodge and her band explore the legacy and influence of Arcangelo Corelli’s bold and flamboyant writing in performances that range from sublime stillness to relentless moto perpetuo.
CD Review: Beethoven Piano-Violin Sonatas Receive Vibrant Performances
For violinist Lucy Russell and fortepianist Sezi Seskir’s recorded premiere as a duo, they have selected three works from the mere 10 that Beethoven created for this instrumental combination.
CD Review: Philharmonia Baroque Embraces The Modern
The Bay Area period-instrument ensemble and conductor Nicholas McGegan perform two works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw on their new recording.
Book Review: Mysteries Explored in The Segovia Manuscript
As one reads the volume’s 350 pages, it becomes clear that the manuscript is stubborn and unyielding in disclosing its many secrets.
CD Review: Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra Does Telemann Proud
'The Colourful Telemann' encapsulates the composer in vibrant selections and performances. The five orchestral works come from throughout his long life.
CD Review: Savall Puts Stamp On Beethoven Symphonies
Working with Le Concert des Nations, a period-instrument orchestra he founded in 1989, Jordi Savall clearly believes he is rediscovering these works in some sense by performing them in a historically informed manner.
