Reviews
Click here for a review of our concert at Lakeside in Nottingham on the 18th December 2008.
Quotes
“One of my most joyous collaborations in recent years has been with Adrian France and the wonderful English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble...The band's playing was utterly virtuosic coupled with a freshness and enthusiasm as if the music had just been written...If you ever get the chance to work with this wonderful group of musicians, grab it with both hands.” Full quote
David Temple – Conductor, Crouch End Festival Chorus.
Flower Of Cities All (DEUX-ELLES)
“The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble has been around since 1993, and has established itself as one of the most respected specialists in this musical field, and in brass instruments of the period in particular.”
“these are recordings and performances of impeccable pedigree.”
“For those interested in historical performance of this period this is an admirable and highly enjoyable collection.” See full review
Dominy Clements - Music Web International (Spring 2008)
“One of the Classical CD’s of the week”
“expressive lute songs make an excellent foil to the wind ensemble's richness”
“some delightfully light-footed pieces” See full review
Elizabeth Roche - Daily Telegraph (Spring 2008)
“a thoroughly enjoyable concert”
“it was an engaging and sparkling performance”
Lakeside Arts Centre Nov 2007
“both tears and good cheer had their place in this concert”
“ecse blended gorgeously in this fanfare for a golden age”
Peter Palmer. Nottingham Evening Post. Nov 2007
Monteverdi Vespers (SIGNUM RECORDS)
“…this terrific double CD of Monteverdi’s Vespers…”
“…the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble add a princely lustre to the worship...”
“…Four Stars ****…” See full review
Rick Jones – The Times (Dec 1st 2007)
“...Four Stars****...”
British Music Magazine (January 2008)
“The sound of choir and ensemble massed together is altogether pleasing, and the playing of the Southern Sinfonia is arguably this set's greatest strength”
Gramophone Magazine (April 2008)
“…Four Stars****…”
Classic FM Magazine, March 2008
Click here to read the full press reviews for this CD.
Dixit Dominus, Scarlatti (CD- DEUX-ELLES)
“hailed as a vocal highlight of 2004”
Gramophone Magazine
“ECSE play with animation and gusto”
“a rather surprising and exceptional disc”
“containing some delightful music”
“Emma Kirkby is, as would be expected, excellent”
“a revelation of a disc”
Em Marshall – Musicweb International (September 2004)
“… Fasinating disc..”
“… Lively stylish performance..”
“… Frequent moments of awestruck wonder..”
“… Some truly ravishing music..”
“… Four Stars (****)
Read full review
Barry Millington - London Evening Standard (June 2004)
“… a revelation.........quite stunning”
CLASSIC FM RADIO (July 2004)
Accendo (CD - Deux Elles)
* * * * * 5 stars from “emusic”
“the sound, recorded in a London Church, is exemplary”
“… played with disarming ease...The Ensemble lifts this music to an intensely expressive level with taut intonation throughout and thoughtful ebb and flow of contrapuntal lines”
(This recording was awarded a maximum '5 stars' for both performance and sound)
George Pratt - BBC Music Magazine (May 2001)
“This is a beautiful disc. The cornetts and sackbuts blend beautifully to create a warm sound. They play with impeccable intonation and a fine sense of ensemble...I would heartily recommend this recording.”
Read full reviews
Hazel Brooks, The Consort, Summer 2002
“ … this group plays with ease and a superb blend of tones… a winning collection”
( awarded ***** stars - see full review )
www.musicweb.uk.net
The Madrigal in Venice (CD - Chaconne)
“… the combination of voices and instruments is brilliantly transferred to the madrigal.”
“… this recording plugs the Italian madrigal with music of fabulous richness.”
“… this is quite simply one of the most enthralling madrigal anthologies on the market.”
Simon Heighs - International Record Review
“Anyone who is smitten with the musical traditions of this most fasinating of all cities, should not hesitate to buy this record”
Iain Fenlon - Gramophone Magazine
“Wonderful stuff!” ***** - 5 Star award from Classic FM Magazine.
Andrew Stuart - Classic FM Magazine
“…Three Stars***…”
Penguin Guide
St John's, Smith Square
"...sackbuts provided a wonderfully sonorous and lyrical foundation...cornettists excelled at moulding the melodic line and adding unobtrusive ornamentation...an excellent concert by an impressive group"
Early Music Review (March 2001)
Monteverdi Vespers in Edinburgh and Aberdeen
"The whole ensemble seemed to float like those gravity-defying consorts of angels one sees in medieval religious paintings·their combined impact was like a cast of thousands"
The Scotsman (October 1999)
Monteverdi Vespers in Grace Church on-the-Hill, Toronto
"Toronto's Exultate singers ... joined by the period-instrument Aradia Ensemble and the fabulous English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble...would have made Monteverdi proud with their skill and sensitivity"
Toronto Star
“One of my most joyous collaborations in recent years has been with Adrian France and the wonderful English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble. As a conductor of music from all eras, I was slightly nervous about working a 'period' ensemble especially on Monteverdi Vespers which they have played literally hundreds of times. Would they look down their noses at me, a mere novice with this music? Not at all!! Adrian very kindly gave me some time so we could make important decisions about the score, based on historical knowledge, the band's extensive experience and also what I personally wanted from the music. The band's playing was utterly virtuosic coupled with a freshness and enthusiasm as if the music had just been written. I was also concerned that a large symphonic choir would not work well with a small ensemble of 14 players but in fact everything balanced superbly. If you ever get the chance to work with this wonderful group of musicians, grab it with both hands.”
David Temple – Conductor, Crouch End Festival Chorus.