Muhly
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The choir pay immaculate attention to Muhly's settings, his harmonies and his dissonance, by turns uplifting, calm, evocative, direct. The effect is very much of a live thing, ineffably human. —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 22nd May 2026
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There's no doubt that former chorister Muhly not only understands his forces but is excited and energised by their expressive potential, which he tests and teases to wonderfully contrasting... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, April 2026, Editor's Choice
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Phrases
Héloïse Werner (soprano), Amy Harman (bassoon), Lawrence Power (violin, viola), Calum Huggan (percussion), Colin Alexander (cello), Laura Snowden (guitar), Daniel Shao (flute)
Werner’s voice flits between natural directness and operatic expression...Most of these pieces rely on clear interplay between soprano and instrumentalist, brilliantly done yet sometimes with... —
Awards:
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Presto Editor's Choice, June 2022
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BBC Music Magazine, October 2022, Choral & Song Choice
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Sunday Times, 10 Best Classical Albums of 2022
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Gramophone Awards, 2023 Finalists, Shortlisted - Contemporary
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Kenny lacks neither extensive playing experience in chamber, orchestral or operatic contexts nor a brilliant musical imagination. She brings both to bear on these performances of ‘old and new... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2020, Finalist - Instrumental
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Stranger - Works For Tenor By Nico Muhly
RecommendedNicholas Phan (tenor), Reginald Mobley, Lisa Kaplan, Colin Jacobsen, Brooklyn Rider, The Knights, Eric Jacobsen
This personal and deeply-felt album from star tenor Nicholas Phan offers a powerful exploration of what ‘national identity’ might mean...Muhly’s crisply unsentimental settings afford due space... —
Awards:
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Grammy Awards, 65th Awards (2023), Nominee - Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2022
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International Classical Music Awards, 2023, Nominated - Contemporary Music
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Winner 2022, World Premiere Recording (New Work)
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New. America/Beautiful
Min Kwon, Graeme Steele Johnson, Brian Hong, Yoon Kwon Costello, Siwoo Kim, Andy Lin, Nan-Cheng Chen, Stephen Costello (tenor)
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Fretwork takes everything in its expertly burnished stride. Muhly’s provocative vigour is answered by the soulful musings of the Bryars, and a consort respray of Bull’s keyboard In Nomine in... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, January 2020, Editor's Choice
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BBC Music Magazine, February 2020, Chamber Choice
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Special offer. Gaïa
Gautier Capuçon (cello), Jérôme Ducros (piano), Ayanna Witter-Johnson (cello), Ludovico Einaudi (piano), Frank Braley (piano), Olivia Belli (piano), Abel Selaocoe (cello), Sarah Rebecca (vocals), Capucelli
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There’s one substantial work here, the highlight of the whole programme: Giles Swayne’s Riffraff (1983), composed for the organ of St Alban’s Cathedral, where it is recorded. Making arresting... —
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The sound is rich, intimate and mesmeric, with the ability to explore surprisingly intense and complex sonorities, considering the small forces at hand. —
