Internationally renowned organist Robert Costin performs the much-loved Goldberg Variations (1741) on the organ of Pembroke College, Cambridge – a modern reconstruction of a period instrument (dating from 1708).

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Related Artists: Robert Costin

Catalogue No: 5060192780291

Reviews

Though nowadays played on all manner of instruments, from harp to accordion, the Goldberg Variations was originally written for harpsichord. However, hearing this masterful performance by Robert Costin on the Pembroke College organ, it’s impossible to imagine that Bach, an accomplished organist, didn’t compose it on such an instrument. Right from the wistful charm of the opening “Aria”, the organ’s timbre is a model of acoustical grace, a perfect union of instrument and space, and as Costin launches into the Variations, its full majesty is revealed in rich, satisfying sonorities that build to an epic climax with the “Variatio 30 –Quodlibet”. A marvellous, engrossing performance by a true master. ***** (Independent)

Organist Robert Costin is well known here in New Zealand and, indeed he has been here recently playing the Goldberg Variations on organs around the country. And here is the recording he made of Bach’s great work in 2012 on the organ of Pembroke College, Cambridge. We have recordings of the Goldberg Variations on the harpsichord, modern piano, strings, jazz group and even with a consort of viols, but none, as far as I can see, on the organ. Given that Bach was a fine organist surely he would have expected the Goldbergs to be performed on the instrument, and Robert Costin proves that it works extremely well. Yes, the crispness one gets from the harpsichord is not there ( but neither is it on any of the string arrangements ), but it rarely seems to matter. In short, this great set of variations sounds as natural on the organ as any of the works that Bach composed for the instrument. With the Pembroke College organ sounding superb and with Costin’s registrations sounding very convincing and the sound extremely natural,  this is, for all Bach lovers, a self recommending release. ***** (The Dominion)

This is a remarkably successful record … The clarity of the playing is admirable, as is the recording quality. All in all, a fascinating and, in its way, important release. ***** (Organ Magazine)

All in all, a superb recording which may become my default Goldberg (Organists’ Review)

On this recording, British organist Robert Costin, a graduate of the University of Cambridge, plays them brilliantly on the Pembroke College Organ … I really enjoyed the Stone Records disc and I think our readers will as well (Fanfare)

If you want a Goldberg recording, you’ll be spoilt for choice – there are dozens. And you have a wide choice of instruments: harpsichord or piano (the leaders) but also harp; saxophone quartet; string trio; jazz trio; marimba; accordion; and a few organ recordings – by Catherine Ennis, Jean Guillou, Elena Barshai, and now Robert Costin, Director of Music at Ardingly College. Costin plays the Pembroke College, Cambridge, organ, a period instrument containing some Father Smith pipework and reconstructed by Mander in 1980. It is eminently suited to the repertoire. Helped by a sympathetic acoustic, Costin delivers a sensitive and accomplished performance, making this recording a strong contender in a crowded field. (Organ Club)

The sixth disc in the first complete recording of the songs of Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), recorded live at the Oxford Lieder Festival. This sixth disc features settings of Lenau and the sacred texts from the Spanish songbook.

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Related Artists: Birgid Steinberger, Anna Huntley, Benjamin Hulett, Marcus Farnsworth, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780284

Reviews

The quality of sound in these latest discs in Stone’s Wolf series is wonderfully vivid and full of presence … Presentation is first-rate … Anna Huntley, nicely evocative … pointedly sung by Bejamin Hulett … well brought out by Marcus Farnsworth … Birgid Steinberger shading her tone beautifully. Sholto Kynoch is the excellent accompanist throughout … Another splendidly wide-ranging selection of songs. (Gramophone)

These pioneer recordings are the most significant achievement of the Oxford Lieder project, and on that count alone it represents a landmark. But Kynoch’s commitment to live performance by young singers should not be diminished by comparison with the all-time great recordings. It renews the lifeblood of a long tradition, which has found a thriving home in Oxford. (Oxford Today)

An inspiration for all! (Classical Iconoclast)

The ever-impressive Oxford Lieder Festival – ****  (BBC Music Magazine)

The second CD in a two-disc series that comprises the complete songs of Havergal Brian (1876-1972).

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Related Artists: Michelle Walton, Mark Stone, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780277

Reviews

Brian fanatics, while no doubt queueing up for more, will savour the consistently strong performance by these three fine musicians (BBC Music Magazine)

Mark Stone and Sholto Kynoch prove strong interpreters of the songs, some of the most individual in the British repertoire… Strongly recommended. (Gramophone)

Even when Brian’s prosody seems curious or arbitrary he shapes the vocal lines with a pleasing naturalness, and he finds an altogether more intimate approach in songs like ‘Farewell’. (Stone also provides the booklet notes, which are well researched and free from egregious error.) (International Record Review)

The first CD in a four-disc series that will comprise the first complete recording of the songs of John Ireland (1879-1962)

Related Artists: Mark Stone, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780260

Reviews

Mark Stone uses all his gifts in this splendid collection of John Ireland’s songs to bring out their varied range of expression. One might say that he treats them with the subtlety that other singers adopt when singing German Lieder. These lovely and varied songs certainly deserve it. Sensibly, Stone starts off with the best-known of all Ireland’s songs, his setting of Masefield’s ‘Sea Fever’. His speed is daringly slow but he sustains it superbly, not least on the final sustained pianissimos in each stanza, ‘And the seagulls crying’ or ‘When the long trick’s over’. The delicacy of Stone’s tonal shading is exquisite. In a vigorous song such as ‘Hope the Hornblower’, setting a poem by Henry Newbolt, the bite of Stone’s attack, matched by the accompaniment of Sholto Kynoch, is ideal, full of flair and swagger. The ordering of the songs also helps, with military songs and songs of the sea providing revealing sequences. If these songs are out of fashion, then Stone and Kynoch make them sound fresh and new. Ireland’s settings of Rupert Brooke include the most celebrated poem of all, ‘The Soldier’, simply dedicated, bringing out its form as a sonnet. Stone and his partner are particularly effective in the sharply rhythmic songs, often march-time, but it is striking how Stone can always vary his tone colours beautifully for the slow, meditative songs. Altogether a disc to leave one freshly enthusiastic about the writing of John Ireland, often strikingly supported by his idiomatic piano-writing (Gramophone)

Its virtues are very considerable indeed. Stone is blessed with a most beautiful voice, which he uses intelligently, and his words are crystal-clear … The recorded sound is excellent, as is the booklet, where you will find a measured introduction to the composer, background and descriptive notes on each song written by Stone himself, and complete song texts … The programme has been intelligently planned … Piano accompaniment is well brought out by Sholto Kynoch,  whose playing throughout the disc is of great sensitivity … This highly enjoyable collection (International Record Review)

Ireland devotees should savour the new material in this crazy quilt of the poignant and frivolous (BBC Music)

Stone delivers it in a relaxed, slightly understated way … his performances with pianist Sholto Kynoch are models of discretion. (Guardian)

Stone’s baritone proves a lively and expressive guide, ably partnered by Kynoch (Financial Times)

Stone has been doing very valuable work on behalf of English songs on his own label, and that continues here. Ireland’s music does not deserve the neglect it has suffered. He had a genuine melodic gift, real imagination, an excellent sense of text-setting. Many of these songs show real inspiration. The Five Songs by Turlay Royce are light ballads that he wrote under that pseudonym. These popular songs were known as “royalty ballads,” and publishers would pay famous singers to perform them. Stone’s notes point out that “Turlay Royce” is an anagram of Royalty Cure. Light they may be, but they are delightful. Ireland responded sensitively to poetry, and these songs are fine examples of a keen musical mind finding the right atmosphere to amplify and/or comment on the words of the poems, so that the music is consistently adding something of its own. Some of these songs have a strong inward-looking and intimate quality to them that can be quite gripping. In the softer and more lyrical songs, Stone’s singing is lovely. He varies his dynamics nicely … His feel for the shape of the line and his ear for shading make for some very effective and beautiful work here. The Heart’s Desire, Song from O’er the Hill, “The Soldier” (the first of the Two Songs to Poems by Rupert Brooke), and quite a few others are quite special … The overall impression with which one is left is one of satisfaction mixed with gratitude for being introduced to so many imaginative, colorful songs with a wide emotional range. (Fanfare)

The first disc in a four-disc series that will comprise the first complete recording of the songs of Roger Quilter (1877-1953).

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Related Artists: Mark Stone, Stephen Barlow

Catalogue No: 5060192780253

Reviews

EDITOR’S CHOICE – Mark Stone could not be more sensitive in his response to the words with his remarkably clear diction, and his accompanist, Stephen Barlow, is comparably understanding, helped by the realistic sound quality recorded in the Champs Hill Music Room. Stone’s own detailed notes on each song as well as his brief biography of Quilter ideally enhance enjoyment. An outstanding disc of English song, making one look forward to the forthcoming issues in this Quilter songbook. (Gramophone)

CHOICE FOR THE CURIOUS (The New Release Show, Classic FM)

Stone’s sturdy baritone and Barlow’s bright accompaniment bring out the Debussyian melodic elegance in Quilter’s songs, while avoiding the preciosity that sometimes afflicts them **** (BBC Music)

Stephen Barlow’s project to record all of Quilter’s songs is a worthy one… this first instalment, sensitively sung by baritone Mark Stone with Barlow accompanying, is a promising start (The Guardian)

Stone’s engagingly natural style and immaculate diction are supported by Barlow’s sympathetic playing. (Sunday Times)

Rich in nuance, sensual contrasts of colour and range of textual expression… collectively eloquent and ideally committed to extracting the essence of each song – **** (Classic FM Magazine)

His lyric baritone has warmth, and he is quite effective at conveying words and meaning as well as phrasing with sensitivity. If you have either or both of the discs I mentioned, and feel that you have all the Quilter you need, this may be superfluous. But if you don’t have those and you are a collector of vocal music—particularly English vocal music—this is definitely worth acquiring. Also, if either of those earlier discs turned you into a serious Quilter fan, here is a very good way of expanding your collection … Stephen Barlow is an alert, colorful collaborator at the piano, and the natural recorded sound is perfectly balanced between voice and keyboard. Stone provides excellent notes about the young Quilter (presumably subsequent volumes will focus on his later years) along with specific notes about each song or group of songs along with complete texts. This is a model of how to produce a disc of this nature. (Fanfare)

Première recordings of chamber works by Ronald Corp OBE

Related Artists: Rebecca de Pont Davies, Andrew Marriner, The Maggini Quartet, Ronald Corp

Catalogue No: 5060192780246

Reviews

As with the other works on this CD, Corp is well served by the musicians: Rebecca de Pont Davies is in full command of the composer’s rather wide-ranging melodic line, being naturally richer in her middle and upper registers. The inclusion of the intensely expressed texts in the booklet is an added advantage. An excellent recording (IRR)

Known mainly as a conductor of light music, Corp’s sunny String Quartet, spiky cantata, and flowing Clarinet Quintet mark him out as an engagingly colourful composer. Excellent performances. (BBC Music)

Superbly played by the Maggini, relishing the original textures that Corp devises for the four instruments … Corp’s writing is fluent in responding to each prose passage … Andrew Marriner is the brilliant clarinetist … Nicely intimate sound. (Gramophone)

The Lendvai’s second disc, after their incredible debut, is the complete Beethoven strio trios

Related Artists: The Lendvai String Trio

Catalogue No: 5060192780239

Reviews

IRR OUTSTANDING – Anyone coming to these works afresh should certainly consider investing in these accounts that, exceptionally well recorded and readably annotated, mark an auspicious debut for this impressive ensemble (IRR)

BBC CHOICE – Altogether a resounding success ***** / ***** (BBC Music)

In every way an excellent and exciting disc played with impeccable precision by a fabulous trio (Musicweb International)

full of charm… an abundance of wit… gentle and intense (The Strad)

Opera star Matthew Rose and leading accompanist Gary Matthewman team up for this amazing rendition of Schubert’s masterpiece.

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Related Artists: Matthew Rose, Gary Matthewman

Catalogue No: 5060192780222

Reviews

RECORDING OF THE MONTH – Like Hans Hotter, Matthew Rose leaves one with a sense of a vast burden of suffering determinedly endured against appalling odds (Gramophone)

CD OF THE WEEK (CD Review, BBC Radio 3)

Written for tenor voice, often sung by a baritone, it acquires – literally – added depth in this beautiful reading by the Grammy-winning British bass Matthew Rose, who sings it mostly a fourth lower than its original key. Schubert himself called them “terrifying” songs and confessed to his own emotional exhaustion at having written them. Rose and Matthewman, while in full, expressive form, convey that sense of being utterly wrung out. (Observer)

This Winterreise is beautifully put together in every way: interpretation, recording, liner notes, artwork. (BBC Music Magazine)

Rose and Matthewman show natural flair and finesse. Rose’s German is superb, relishing Müller’s text while never turning tricksy. Matthewman’s pianistic control and responsiveness confirm that he is becoming the new Lieder generation’s go-to accompanist. (Entartete Musik)

C’est un volume de grande qualité et de belle facture que présente Stone Records avec une nouvelle interprétation du Voyage d’hiver de Schubert par la basse britannique Matthew Rose, accompagné par son jeune compatriote, le pianiste Gary Matthewman. La voix à l’assise solide, dotée d’une rondeur et d’une épaisseur confortables, donnant l’illusion de la facilité, déploie dès le numéro 1 (« Gute Nacht ») un timbre envoûtant sans que soient négligées l’articulation ni la diction, claire et compréhensible. Certains passages établissent une véritable osmose entre le piano et la voix (comme le début de « Der greise Kopf », nº 14, ou encore « Die Krähe », nº 15, très doux, intime, comme chuchoté). Les transitions sont particulièrement réussies au sein des morceaux qui font intervenir des changements de climat, la virtuosité du pianiste épousant la richesse des nuances vocales, avec de très beaux effets de contrastes (particulièrement dans « Rast », nº 10, et au service de la dimension dramatique du nº 11, « Frühlingstraum »). (Forum Opera)

The fifth disc in the first complete recording of the songs of Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), recorded live at the Oxford Lieder Festival. This fifth disc features settings of Heine, Reinick, Shakespeare and Byron.

Related Artists: Sarah-Jane Brandon, Daniel Norman, William Dazeley, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780215

Reviews

The quality of sound in these latest discs in Stone’s Wolf series is wonderfully vivid and full of presence … Presentation is first-rate … beautifully sung by Daniel Norman … Sarah Jane, aptly fresh, finely controlled … powerfully sung by William Dazeley. Sholto Kynoch is the excellent accompanist throughout. (Gramophone)

The latest instalment in this evolving anthology of Lieder by Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) is the best yet from the enterprising Stone Records, not least because it comprises some of Wolf’s liveliest – and, coincidentally, least-known – songs. The opening Heine group includes the seven Liederstrauss songs, sensitively handled by Norman. This is followed by a couple of Byron and Shakespeare settings, and a plentiful selection of Reinick, whose poetry brought out a genial quality in Wolf. The programme is intelligently varied in pace, content and voice-type, with Dazeley’s baritone providing the most character and Brandon’s soprano the purest lyricism. Their German diction is surprisingly good. **** (Financial Times)

An inspiration for all! (Classical Iconoclast)

The ever-impressive Oxford Lieder Festival – ****  (BBC Music Magazine)

The debut CD from Somerville College, Oxford, performing the much-loved Duruflé Requiem and the première recording of Milford’s Mass for five voices.

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Related Artists: Christine Rice, Mark Stone, Guy Johnston, The Choir of Somerville College, David Crown

Catalogue No: 5060192780208

Reviews

Crown and his students can be proud of their accomplishment. They have managed to convey the mystery and the majesty of Duruflé’s masterpiece. Organist Tristan Mitchard is up to his considerable task; remember that Duruflé was a celebrated virtuoso. The soloists are, as desired, fine. I applaud the choir for its spirit. (Fanfare)

Durufle’s Requiem and Milford’s Mass for Five Voices were written in the same post-war period, but are, of course, very different. But heard together, we can appreciate the humanity they have in common. This recording is a milestone for Milford, but also a showcase for the Oxford college choir tradition, created afresh by the Somerville College Choir. It seems odd to call a CD of Masses a hit, but this one is! (Classical Iconoclast)

This disc is most valuable for the Milford, which should be investigated by all lovers of English liturgical music – but by others too. The Durufle is given a nicely recessed performance which brings out all its charm and devotion. (Musicweb International)

The second disc in a two-disc series that comprises the first complete recording of the songs of C.W. Orr (1893-1976)

Related Artists: Mark Stone, Simon Lepper

Catalogue No: 5060192780192

Reviews

Mark Stone, the excellent baritone who has planned and sings this comprehensive recital so impressively, is obviously thoroughly at home in this repertoire and I wish I had more space to describe Orr’s fascinatingly diverse accompaniments, which Simon Lepper plays so imaginatively. I recommend these two discs strongly to all lovers of English song and even more to singers, for they will surely find items suitable for expanding their own repertoire. (Gramophone)

More songs by Orr exit, I should say, on this CD than on previous issues put together. They are well promoted by Stone and Lepper in a recording by Richard Sutcliffe in Potton Hall which could not be bettered. (International Record Review)

**** The important thing is that these songs are now available in committed performances. (The Guardian)

Mark Stone has done a real service in unearthing these, and recording them at such a high level. Stone Records is his own label (more and more artists are turning to this approach), and he provides thorough, well-written, and informative notes and complete texts. (Fanfare)

The second disc from Ronald Corp’s chamber choir Apsara, performing works by Corp

Related Artists: Apsara, Edward Batting, Ronald Corp

Catalogue No: 5060192780185

Reviews

These are all very effective settings which never do any violence to the words, and some are much more than that. Those who are unfamiliar with the music of Ronald Corp as a composer should certainly investigate this disc. (Musicweb International)

There are many rewards to be found on this CD, and I can recommend it highly to those who are fond of choral music. (Fanfare)

The Phoenix Piano Trio’s debut release – a live recording of Beethoven’s Trio in Eb major Op.70 No.2 & the Archduke.

Related Artists: The Phoenix Piano Trio

Catalogue No: 5060192780178

Reviews

It’s the outer movements of the Archdule where the Phoenix seem to have the most to say, shaping the opening Allegro Moderato effectively and setting a purposeful pace in the finale. (Gramophone)

The CD also includes Beethoven’s Trio in E flat major, Op 70, No 2. In this much less well known companion to piece to the famed ‘Ghost’ trio, Beethoven gives the opening to the cello not the piano, emphasising that all three instruments are to be equal. This work really allows the Phoenix’s integrated sound to shine, with a delightful conversation between piano, violin and cello taking place to a particularly catchy tune in the third movement.  (Oxford Times)

The fourth disc in the first complete recording of the songs of Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), recorded live at the Oxford Lieder Festival. This fourth disc features settings of Keller, Fallersleben, Ibsen & others.

Related Artists: Mary Bevan, Quirijn de Lang, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780161

Reviews

An inspiration for all! (Classical Iconoclast)

The ever-impressive Oxford Lieder Festival – ****  (BBC Music Magazine)

The first CD in a two-disc series that comprises the complete songs of Havergal Brian (1876-1972)

Related Artists: Mark Stone, Jonathan Stone, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780154

Reviews

Brian fanatics, while no doubt queueing up for more, will savour the consistently strong performance by these three fine musicians (BBC Music Magazine)

Mark Stone and Sholto Kynoch prove strong interpreters of the songs, some of the most individual in the British repertoire… Strongly recommended. (Gramophone)

Even when Brian’s prosody seems curious or arbitrary he shapes the vocal lines with a pleasing naturalness, and he finds an altogether more intimate approach in songs like ‘Farewell’. (Stone also provides the booklet notes, which are well researched and free from egregious error.) (International Record Review)

Australian art-songs by twentieth-century composers.

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Related Artists: Lisa Harper-Brown, David Wickham

Catalogue No: 5060192780147

Reviews

This defiantly uncompromising CD is a snapshot of a bygone compositional era. (Limelight)

Solo piano recital of music by Delius and his composer friends.

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Related Artists: Paul Guinery

Catalogue No: 5060192780130

Reviews

**** Paul Guinery, well remembered as a genial voice on BBC Radio 3 but also no mean pianist, has assembled this delightful (and well recorded) anthology. (BBC Music Magazine)

Guinery conveys with impecaable taste an innate love of and empathy with this undervalued corner of the repertoire. (Gramophone)

I am sure the Delius Society will be very proud of this emblematic recording. (International Record Review)

As always with Stone Records, the quality of the production is very high, both in the natural and clean sound of the piano and the superlative notes in the accompanying booklet. (Fanfare)

The first CD in a two-disc series that comprises the complete songs of C.W. Orr (1893-1976).

WATCH VIDEO

Related Artists: Mark Stone, Simon Lepper

Catalogue No: 5060192780123

Reviews

Mark Stone, the excellent baritone who has planned and sings this comprehensive recital so impressively, is obviously thoroughly at home in this repertoire and I wish I had more space to describe Orr’s fascinatingly diverse accompaniments, which Simon Lepper plays so imaginatively. I recommend these two discs strongly to all lovers of English song and even more to singers, for they will surely find items suitable for expanding their own repertoire. (Gramophone)

More songs by Orr exit, I should say, on this CD than on previous issues put together. They are well promoted by Stone and Lepper in a recording by Richard Sutcliffe in Potton Hall which could not be bettered. (International Record Review)

**** The important thing is that these songs are now available in committed performances. (The Guardian)

Mark Stone has done a real service in unearthing these, and recording them at such a high level. Stone Records is his own label (more and more artists are turning to this approach), and he provides thorough, well-written, and informative notes and complete texts. (Fanfare)

The third disc in the first complete recording of the songs of Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), recorded live at the Oxford Lieder Festival. This third disc features his Italian songbook.

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Related Artists: Geraldine McGreevy, Mark Stone, Sholto Kynoch

Catalogue No: 5060192780116

Reviews

An inspiration for all! (Classical Iconoclast)

The ever-impressive Oxford Lieder Festival – ****  (BBC Music Magazine)

The second CD in a two-disc series that comprises the first recording of the complete songs of Frederick Delius (1862-1934).

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Related Artists: Mark Stone, Stephen Barlow

Catalogue No: 5060192780109

Reviews

Everything about these two discs, from the performances to the engineering and through to the program notes and texts, is utterly professional, and professional at a high level. (Fanfare)

With fresh-minted accompaniments from Stephen Barlow, Stone proves an expert guide not just by uncovering little-known manuscripts, but by investing Delius’s songs with verve and variety of mood, in part through his intelligent diction – **** (Financial Times)

Rich in nuance, sensual contrasts of colour and range of textual expression… collectively eloquent and ideally committed to extracting the essence of each song – **** (Classic FM Magazine)

Stone’s engagingly natural style and immaculate diction are supported by Barlow’s sympathetic playing (Sunday Times)