Handel's Last Prima Donna - Giulia Frasi in London

Ruby Hughes soprano

Ruby Hughes pays tribute to Italian singer, Giulia Frasi, who came to London in 1742 and, over her 30-year career, became the most celebrated soprano in the English oratorio style and not just for Handel, as this disc goes to prove.  With the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and conductor Laurence Cummings Ruby makes her debut disc for Chandos.
Listen to CD excerpts here >>
Read Ruby's blog here >>

Prokofiev: Violin Sonatas

Alexandra Conunova violin

Alexandra Conunova makes her debut recording on the Aparte label, together with pianist Michael Lifits.  The repertoire is close to Alexandra's heart, the contrasting Violin Sonatas by Prokofiev - one of deep anguish, the other of simplicity and lyricism - providing a synthesis of Prokofiev’s style. There's an accompanying film too.

Listen to CD excerpts here >>

View film here >>

Before Mozart – Early Horn Concertos

Alec Frank-Gemmill horn

Following his critically acclaimed debut CD on BIS last year Alec Frank-Gemmill takes another interesting journey of discovery into early horn repertoire. Along with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and conductor Nicholas McGegan he plays 18th-century horn concertos from the likes of Förster, Telemann, virtuosic Neruda, Haydn and Mozart's father, Leopold.

Listen to CD excerpts here >>

Beethoven Complete!

Quartetto di Cremona

The Borletti-Buitoni Trust has supported the box set release, on 22 June, of the Quartetto di Cremona's acclaimed Beethoven Sting Quartet cycle on the Audite label. The eight individual volumes have been released over the last five years, and now are available together for the first time.

Listen to excerpts from each of the eight volumes here >>