Ikon Arts News

Elizabeth Wallfisch's new recording of Vivaldi's L'estro armonico Op 3 with the outstanding Canadian period-instrument orchestra Tafelmusik has been selected as 'Orchestral Recording of the Month' in the January 2008 BBC Music Magazine, and as 'Editor's Choice' in the February edition of Gramophone.

In an extraordinary week of awards for the group, Stile Antico have just been nominated for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, in the category of Best Small Ensemble Performance, for their debut album Music for Compline (Harmonia Mundi). This follows hot on the heels of their award in November for the 'Diapason d'Or de l'Annee' by the French music press.

Rising stars of the choral world Stile Antico will present a spectacular concert of Renaissance choral music in Oxford on Wednesday 16th January, to launch its new album. The concert will be held in the magnificent setting of the Sheldonian Theatre and will feature an exclusive preview of songs from the group's forthcoming second album entitled Heavenly Harmonies.

The concert is being presented in association with Blackwell Music, the well-known music specialists on Oxford's Broad Street. Blackwell Music Shop Manager, Vanessa Williams comments 'We are delighted that Stile Antico will be performing. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to be associated with such a well regarded Early Music choir and to hear some of their new album before it is released.'

The first disc for Harmonia Mundi, Music for Compline, proved a spectacular debut. As well as receiving widespread acclaim in the UK press, it was a hit abroad, spending 14 weeks in the US classical charts and peaking at #2 (coincidentally behind Sting's album). More recently it was awarded the prestigious 'Diapason d'Or de l'Annee' by the French music industry. 2008 sees Stile Antico perform in multiple well-known venues and festivals across the UK, France, Belgium, and Holland.

The concert celebrates the launch of their second CD, entitled Heavenly Harmonies. Concert-goers will be able to purchase a copy of Stile Antico's new album over 2 weeks in advance of nationwide release - and get a chance to meet the group in person. Above all, they will experience singing described by the Sunday Times as "staggeringly beautiful".

For more information and to book tickets please visit www.blackwell.co.uk or call 01865 333586.

Hard on the heels of its Diapason success, Stile Antico's debut album Music for Compline has been awarded a further accolade, this time by the editorial team at amazon.com.

The disc, which topped Amazon's classical bestseller list during the summer, has been named as one of the Top 10 classical releases of 2007. Click here to see the full list.