Press Releases

Ruby Hughes soprano (BBT Award 2014)

Chandos Records CHSA 0403 Released 2 March 2018

Ruby Hughes pays tribute to a fascinating but forgotten 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. Her sweet voice and dramatic abilities brought her to the attention of Handel and she was the inspiration for many of his greatest works written in the last decade of his life, including Susanna, Solomon, Theodora and Jephtha in which she performed all the dramatic heroine roles. With this album – recorded with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Laurence Cummings – Ruby fulfils her own passion for baroque music and presents a story that has seldom been told and never before been presented through Frasi’s musical repertoire. On 7 April, at the London Handel Festival, Ruby, the OAE and Cummings give a recital, A Celebration of Giulia Frasi.

Listen to CD excerpts here >>
Read press release here >>

Alexandra Conunova violin (BBT Fellowship 2016)

Aparte AP171 Release date: 30 March 2018

Violinist Alexandra Conunova has chosen Prokofiev for her debut recording because of the deep understanding she feels for his music. Black and white, good and evil vied with each other in Prokofiev’s own mind and soul, as well as in life’s events at the time these two contrasting sonatas were written. With their shared Russian roots and close musical partnership, pianist Michail Lifits and Alexandra Conunova perform these two sonatas – one of deep anguish, one of simplicity and lyricism – as a synthesis of Prokofiev’s style. As well as the recording, BBT also supported the making of a short film of the two musicians in conversation and in performance for the sessions.

Listen to CD excerpts here >>

View film here >>

Alec Frank-Gemmill horn (BBT Fellowship 2014)

BIS 2315 SACD Release date: 27 April 2018

Following his critically acclaimed debut CD on BIS last year (A Noble and Melancholy Instrument) Alec Frank-Gemmill takes another interesting journey of discovery into early horn repertoire. Imagination, style and virtuosity are his companions, along with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and conductor Nicholas McGegan. With this CD Alec broadens the perspective on the early 18th century horn when it was a serious solo instrument and a very different character from the horn that has become synonymous with WA Mozart. As well as concertos by Förster, Telemann and Leopold Mozart there is a neglected Haydn and a Neruda rarity of extreme virtuosity.

Listen to CD excerpts here >>

Fifteen exceptional young musicians from all over the world join BBT’s roster of Award and Fellowship winners in 2018. Awards of £30,000 are given to Dudok Kwartet Amsterdam and Belgian clarinettist Annelien Van Wauwe and Fellowships of £20,000 to UK based ensembles Castalian String Quartet and Trio Isimsiz, American violinist Tessa Lark, Chinese viola player Diyang Mei and Sicilian cellist/composer Alessio Pianelli. 

Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad viola (BBT Fellowship 2016)

As well as major creative projects and recordings, BBT also supports its musicians with the more fundamental but equally important aspects of career development, especially young Fellowship winners in the early stages of their professional lives. Norwegian viola player Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad has used part of his 2016 Fellowship to fund new photographs and the design of a new website which is now launched.

Link to website >>

BBC Music Magazine Awards

Shortlisted nominees (winners will be announced on 5 April)
Alec Frank-Gemmill horn
Bram van Sambeek bassoon
Sean Shibe guitar

Critics’ Circle Music Awards

Emerging Talent

Beatrice Rana instrumental category
Mark Simpson composer category