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Reviews
on Sanctuary Classics (formerly ASV Records)
Classic CD SANCTUARY CLASSICS CD GAU 232
Pindar's Ode; New Year Ode 1774 " This is a superb CD of infectious music magnificently performed. The New College Choir is on cracking form, as is the Hanover Band. Graham Lea-Cox directs with fire and precision ... Marvel or have a prejudice transplant." Roderick Swanston
International Record Review ©. SANCTUARY CLASSICS CD GAU 232"...This is the fourth and sadly the last of (Lea-)Cox's survey of Boyce's odes, oratorios and masques for ASV Gaudeamus. The series has been a triumph: the British Baroque has never sounded so good." Simon Heighes
Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, South Africa/Graham Lea-Cox; Prokofiev 50th Anniversary Concert: " ... The Symphony {Prokofiev No. 5, Op 100)...received due and weighty consideration... conductor and orchestra used the occasion to pay a worthy tribute to a great Symphonist. " Deon Irish, Cape Times
Hi-Fi NEWS (UK) Sanctuary Classics (formerly ASV) CD GAU 176 Secular Masque: "... This recording certainly should give delight well into the next century: not only is the music enchanting, the performances are full of subtlety and eloquence as well as enthusiasm and spirit. ... Graham Lea-Cox, who is responsible for the editions used, directs the performances with great skill and discernment; he is equally successful with the wistful and the vigorous numbers, bringing an almost theatrical flair to the argument of the Masque, pomp to the ceremonial music and grace to the dance numbers." Peter Branscombe: 'A: 1'
Gramophone Magazine (UK) Sanctuary Classics (formerly ASV) GAU 232
"A fine end to Lea-Cox's Boyce survey ... Here is another disc - the last, alas! - in the Boyce series from Graham Lea-Cox ...(who) draws unfailingly stylish playing from the Hanover Band." Stanley Sadie
* CHOC * La Monde de la Musique (France) SANCTUARY CLASSICS CD GAU 200 * CHOC * La Monde de la Musique (France) "...cette de'couverte splendid ... L'enthousiasme et la conviction des interpr'etes sont des plus communicatifs, et l'on se re'jouit de saluer une de'couverte de premier plan."
American Record Guide; ARTICLE: BOYCE: Cecilian Ode
"... Apparently ASV is engaged in a complete traversal of Boyce's choral works, previously issuing The Secular Masque and David's Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan. Boyce has been seriously underrepresented in the catalog for years, and a serious re-evaluation of his choral music--the anthems also--is long overdue. The performers evince a commitment to this music that is generally found only in recordings of more familiar fare. The soloists are first-class, the chorus alert and articulate, and the band plays with vigor and impeccable musicianship. After you insert this disc in your player, it won't take long for you to realize that you have been missing music of estimable architecture and stunning brilliance." Michael Carter. COPYRIGHT 2000 Record Guide Productions
classicnet.com Sanctuary Classics CD GAU 232Pindar's Ode; New Year Ode 1774 "Recitatives and ariosos abound aplenty here but all is executed with consummate ease and lavish beauty by (Lea-) Cox and his period instrument team... A most satisfying issue that continues to bolster Boyce's reputation." Gerald Fenech
A.F., abeillemusique.com (France) 24 Janvier, 2001
"Les forces de Lea-Cox nous re'v'elent ici une pure merveille d'e'quilibre (alternance des tessitures dans les parties solistes, elles-memes en alternance avec des parties chorales) et de cohe'rence (le choeur se fond dans la me'lodie qui le pre'c'ede en reprenant le th'eme expose' par le soliste)" A.F., abeillemusique.com (France)
Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), Cape Town. Zoë Beyers Violin/Graham Lea-CoxShostakovitch Violin Concerto No 1: "... Beyers' playing here was exquisite. Graham Lea-Cox considers Shostakovitch a favourite and, together with the orchestra, gave a performance of merit ..." Die Burger, South Africa
NewOlde.com Promoting Historically-Inspired Performances of Early Music and Baroque Opera
"William Boyce's reputation has been enhanced greatly by the recent series of four superb recordings of Royal masques and odes by Graham Lea-Cox et al. on ASV (Sanctuary Classics)... "
L'Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, Firenze"...Intelligente peraltro anche la scelta del programma, incentrato sul repertorio ingleses inommagio alla nazionalita del direttore ospite e che alla prova dei fatti e sembrato ben intornasi alla sua personalita di interprete misurato e signorile. ...Il tutto restituito con armoniosa eleganza da Lea-Cox e dall'orchestra fiorentina in una prova moltoordinata e convincente..." La Nazione, Florence, Italy
Fanfare Magazine (USA): 18th Century British Symphonies. Sanctuary Classics GAU 216
"... All of the readings reflect current thinking on performance practice: brisk tempos, extreme dynamic ranges, strikingly vivid wind colorations... The Hanover Band is one of the oldest period-instrument ensembles around and, with a number of winning releases under its belt, comes to this repertoire with little, if any, trepidation and a generous helping of enthusiasm. The latter trait is evident at the opening, where the horns burst forth from the orchestral texture in a way I haven't heard in many a recording. The pungency of the oboes, the softness of the flutes and the reedy quality of the clarinets all add their unique colors to the shimmering and silvery quality of Graham Lea-Cox's impeccable string section. ... With all this in its favor, this is sure to be another star in ASV's already laden crown." Robert Emmett
Western New York Public Radio (USA) "Classical CD nominations .. the 'Best of 2000'." http://www.wned.org/
" 'The 'Best of 2000' WNED-FM's program hosts compile for you a list of recommended discs for Classical CD nominations .." (Boyce: Ode for St. Cecilia's Day Sanctuary Classics GAU 200) Nominated by Steve Levinthal
Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), Symphony Season Concerts, 2002-03
"Lea-Cox commenced the work (Dukas, Sorcerer's Apprentice) in assured fashion, guiding the winds through their jaunty conversations and depictive solos with gratifying good ensemble... Hofmeyr's Raptus (for violin and large orchestra) couldn't have been more welcome... Lea-Cox once again provided a sympathetic accompaniment, which appeared well rehearsed and interpretively secure ... with some marvellous colour and textural moments. Finally the 'sublime' Sixth Symphony (Dvora'k) ... the CPO appeared quite at home in the uplands of the Bohemian countryside... and under Lea-Cox's careful guidance provided a most satisfying tour through its disparate charms." Deon Irish, Cape Times, Cape Town, South Africa.