Ikon Arts News

VOCES8 on Radio 3's CD Review

2010-02-01T14:15:00.016Z

In his recent review of new A Cappella recordings, Andrew McGregor reviewed VOCES8's brand new release Aces High as the slickest of the lot.

Radio 3's CD Review, on Saturday 30th January, described Aces High as two parts Kings Singers, three parts Swingle [Singers], a dash of Bobby McFerrin and California sunshine...Fans of close harmony ought to hear this.

Click below to listen to the review

Stile Antico's new CD "their best yet"

2010-01-11T10:51:00.003Z

Recent reviews for Stile Antico's new CD have been overwhelmingly positive. The Observer hailed the new release Media Vita as "their best yet...a formidable masterpiece"; The Independent claimed 'The Lord's Prayer' "is one of the finest I've heard".

NEWSFLASH: Stile Antico nominated again for GRAMMY award!

2009-12-03T14:28:00.006Z

British early music vocal ensemble Stile Antico have been nominated a 2nd time for a GRAMMY award, for their recent CD release 'Song of Songs' (Harmonia Mundi).

Only a few months ago 'Song of Songs' won a GRAMOPHONE award for early music, as well as receiving critical praise from the press, including the New York Times.

Stile Antico were first nominated for a Grammy award for their debut release 'Music for Compline' in 2007.

Click here for the detailed list of nominees - and scroll down to category 104, Best Small Ensemble Performance.

Classic FM previews London A Cappella Festival

2009-12-02T16:57:00.006Z

Read Classic FM Magazine's preview of the upcoming London A Cappella Festival at Kings Place, 13-16 January. Click the image to left.

Oleg Marshev wows critics in debut UK concerto performance

2009-11-02T13:05:00.002Z

Russian pianist Oleg Marshev made his British concerto debut at the weekend with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, in a "brilliant" performance of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.1.

The Bournemouth Echo writes: "the brilliant Russian pianist Oleg Marshev has a natural gift of idiomatic involvement that informs every note...the dynamic range and technical command was tremendously impressive in the tautly constructed outer movements and his feeling for Rachmaninov's romantically inspired lyricism made the central Andante mesmerising."

Read the full review here.

Steve Reich/Bang on a Can at Southbank Centre

2009-10-30T15:29:00.002Z

Ikon Arts Management, in association with Southbank Centre and London Sinfonietta, brings minimalist icon Steve Reich to Southbank Centre tomorrow (Saturday 31st October) to perform an exclusive concert of his own music with contemporary experimental group Bang on a Can and the London Sinfonietta.

"Minimalist icon Steve Reich leads this performance of his own music. Visiting from New York, Bang on a Can perform the first half including the early classic Clapping Music, the lilting layers of Electric Counterpoint and the brilliant Sextet. The London Sinfonietta take the stage in the second half with the phenomena that is Music for 18 Musicians with its perfect blend of voices and instruments with pulsing riffs and shimmering harmonies."

Read more on the Southbank Centre website.

Stile Antico's 'breathtaking' New York debut

2009-10-27T10:13:00.004Z

Stile Antico's long-awaited New York debut on Sunday 25th October has received the highest praise in the New York Times.

"...an ensemble of breathtaking freshness, vitality and balance...the singers kept a keen eye on one another, giving their pitch-perfect sound a finely honed precision in the rippling sequences of Clemens non Papa's "Ego flos campi" and the ricocheting counterpoint of Sebastian de Vivanco's "Veni, dilecte mi." Rich harmonies in selections by Nicolas Gombert and Jean Lheritier had a luminous glow."

Read the full review here.

NEWSFLASH: London A Cappella Festival January 2010

2009-10-23T14:09:00.006+01:00

London's diverse a cappella community come together under one roof to celebrate the unaccompanied human voice. Curated by the world-famous 5-time Grammy-winning vocal group the Swingle Singers, the inaugural London A Cappella Festival at London's Kings Place showcases some of the best of the UK's choral, jazz, contemporary, and gospel ensembles, including special guests, with music ranging from sacred Renaissance polyphony to crowd-pleasing pop and blistering beatbox.p

In addition to the Swingle Singers, acts include internationally-acclaimed gospel stars London Adventist Chorale (Sainsbury Choir of the Year; BBC Gem Best Choir award), Grammy-nominated early music ensemble Stile Antico, and hot young pop/jazz group VOCES8, as well as many other groups from the huge local a cappella community.

Free foyer performances and afternoon workshops will also help to capture the imagination of people young and old, in various spaces within Kings Place. Education for the masses will be an integral part of the festival's commitments; whether the festival-goers are experienced singers or only have experience of singing in the shower (!), the opportunities for sharing and learning at the London A Cappella Festival will be limitless.

"Something very special happens when singers come together to share their ideas, talents, and love of the art form", says Kevin Fox, bass and vocal-percussionist of the Swingle Singers. "What's really exciting for us is that not only do we get to share the stage with a wonderful and diverse line-up of talent, but that Londoners young and old will get to experience what will undoubtedly be a truly electric atmosphere. The Swingle Singers are proud to be there at the inception, and look forward to the festival's long and prosperous future!"

Tickets go on sale from Kings Place from 14th November 2009. For more information please contact Holly in the Swingle Singers' office: 020 7359 0112

Raphael Wallfisch realises Schumann's dream

2009-10-08T10:59:00.004+01:00

More than 150 years after his death, one of Schumann's wishes has come true. He suggested that his Cello Concerto be published not only in its original form, but also in a version with accompaniment for strings only. Last year an arrangement was made by the Swiss violinist and composer Arthur Lilienthal — and it has just had its first performance at the Wigmore Hall.

The string players of the Southbank Sinfonia stood in an arc around their soloist, Raphael Wallfisch, and gave it their all. In this piece, they're usually pretty subservient to the virtuosity of the soloist. But, having to take on the conversation and comments of an entire orchestra in their hard-working bows, the violas in particular had to be on their mettle. The piece was transformed. This was densely inter-communicated chamber music, with Wallfisch relishing the work's soaring lyricism and his duetting with many an orchestral soloist. In the finale he acted as dance master demonstrating and sharing each leaping step.

(Extract from The Times review: 8th October 2009)

STILE ANTICO WINS GRAMOPHONE AWARD!

2009-10-05T16:12:00.006+01:00

Ikon Arts Management is delighted to announce that Stile Antico, the 'brightest news stars' of Renaissance music (The Telegraph) have won a Gramophone Award in the Early Music category for their latest CD release 'Song of Songs'.

The award comes amid several highlights in the group's performing calendar this year, which last week saw the group give their debut performance at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as well as their 2nd tour to the USA and Canada later this month.

For full details of the award winners please visit the Gramophone website. For details of Stile Antico's upcoming performances, please visit the group's website. For bookings and press information please contact Holly Skelton

"..intensely refreshing listening" - David Owen Norris' latest CD

2009-09-07T17:03:00.006+01:00

David Owen Norris's latest recording of Elgar has been highly praised in the October 2009 issue of Gramophone Magazine. Norris plays a transcription of the symphonic study Falstaff, as well as his own transcription of the 6 Pomp and Circumstance Marches. In this particular piece, the Gramophone reviewer says "David Owen Norris has made a terrific job...the finished article makes for intensely rewarding listening". Of the Falstaff transcription, the reviewer claims "Norris's pianism is past praise in its scrupulous poise, immaculate touch, and attention to dynamic nuance...Here is artistry of a very high order". Click on the image to read the full review.

Raphael Wallfisch releases new CD with Scottish Ensemble

2009-09-03T12:46:00.004+01:00

Raphael Wallfisch's latest recording of cello concertos will be released next week, on Nimbus Records. Raphael is joined by the Scottish Ensemble, led by Jonathan Morton, in the long-awaited CD of C.P.E. Bach's concertos for cello, including the Concerto in A Minor, Concerto in B-flat Major, and Concerto in A Major. Visit the MDT website for more details.

STILE ANTICO NOMINATED FOR GRAMOPHONE AWARD

2009-08-20T12:48:00.003+01:00

The "new stars" of early music Stile Antico have been selected as finalists for a Classic FM Gramophone Award 2009. Their CD 'Song of Songs', released in spring this year on Harmonia Mundi, has received an overwhelming amount of critical support both in the UK and in the international press. Stile Antico's recent performances of the concert programme have been met with equal praise, including the New York Times who hailed the group as "worthy competitors for the Tallis Scholars".

The winners of the Gramophone Awards will be announced on 3rd October. Good luck Stile Antico!

Stile Antico 'enraptures' Italian audience

2009-08-19T13:44:00.004+01:00

Stile Antico's Italian debut was hailed a huge success, both by the festival and the audience. The concert, part of Milano Arte Musica, was at the beautiful church of Santa Maria dalle Passione, where Stile Antico performed their hugely popular programme 'Song of Songs'. The concert was previewed in the major Italian newspapers - click the images to read the full articles.

ikon arts now on Twitter!

2009-08-03T18:06:00.002+01:00

Get daily tweets of ikon arts happenings! Click on twitter.com

Eaton Square Concerts autumn season

2009-07-22T12:42:00.003+01:00

The forthcoming series of concerts at Eaton Square Concerts includes performances by Michael Collins (clarinet), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano), the Solstice Quartet, and the Schubert Ensemble. Click the link ESCAutumn09flierto view the season brochure, or go to the concerts' website.

Stile Antico: Editor's Choice in Gramophone Magazine

2009-07-01T14:10:00.009+01:00

Stile Antico's recent CD release 'Song of Songs' has been selected as Editor's Choice in the August edition of Gramophone Magazine. Click on the image to read the full review.

Stile Antico in Classic FM 'Top 5 Choirs' and EDITOR'S CHOICE

2009-06-18T16:24:00.008+01:00

Stile Antico is featured twice in this month's issue of Classic FM magazine.

They are listed in the 'Top 5 Choral Groups' alongside The Sixteen and Kings Singers...

...they also are the 'Editor's Choice' with their new CD release 'Song of Songs'.

Stile Antico "seamlessly lush...beautifully balanced" says New York Times

2009-06-16T12:00:00.004+01:00

British early music ensemble Stile Antico have just returned from their debut tour to the USA, with their first concert to a hugely appreciative sold-out audience at the prestigious Boston Early Music Festival, performing their new concert programme 'Song of Songs' (linked to the recent award-winning CD release).

Both the New York Times and the Boston Globe gave superlative reviews:

"...magic was in no short supply...British a cappella ensemble Stile Antico made its American debut with a program of Renaissance settings of the Song of Songs, including a striking antiphonal setting of 'Veni Dilecte Mi by Sebastian de Vivanco and seamlessly lush works by Palestrina, Lassus and Victoria. The 13 singers produce a beautifully balanced sound and are likely to become worthy competitors for the Tallis Scholars." (New York Times)

"...The group's impeccably blended sound, the lightness and transparency of its ensemble work, and its warmly expressive approach to this repertoire were all notable from the outset. The 13 singers perform without a conductor but nonetheless manage to shape their lines with exceeding suppleness and grace. Polychoral settings by Vivanco and Francisco Guerrero were a particular pleasure, as was Victoria's elaborate motet 'Vadam, et circuibo'." (Boston Globe)

Stile Antico make US debut this weekend

2009-06-10T13:59:00.004+01:00

Stile Antico will make their debut performances in the USA this weekend, as the group's incredible success continues. The first performance is on Friday 12th June at Boston Early Music Festival, one of the world's most prestigious festivals for early music; the group then travel to Connecticut Early Music Festival for their next performance on Sunday 14th June. Stile Antico already have their 2nd North American tour lined up for October this year, and we are now putting together the dates for a 2010 tour!

More high praise for Stile Antico's CD

2009-05-06T13:31:00.005+01:00

This week has seen a flurry of fantastic reviews from the international press for Stile Antico's new CD 'Song of Songs'. In addition to the current issue of BBC Music Magazine, reviews from The Observer (UK), The Philadelphia Enquirer (USA), the San Francisco Chronicle (USA) and ClassicsToday.com have nothing but the highest of commendations for Stile Antico and their recording. Read the digest here. SongofSongs_collated.pdf

Magnificent review in BBC Music Mag for Stile Antico's new CD

2009-04-15T14:18:00.005+01:00

Stile Antico's new CD 'Song of Songs' has received a superb review from Anthony Pryer in the May 2009 edition of BBC Music Magazine..."this remains a magnificent display of the very best kind of polyphonic music...the superb singers of Stile Antico are up to the challenge of presenting all the required moods...brilliantly sung...5 STARS". Click the image to read the full review.

ikon arts spring 09 newsletter

2009-04-01T13:50:00.002+01:00

Read the latest ikon arts news in our spring 2009 newsletter - click the link to download IkonArtsSpring09newsletter.pdf

"Get your coat, love..." - Stile Antico featured in BBC Music Magazine

2009-03-23T13:45:00.003Z

Stile Antico's new CD, due for release in early May, gets some slightly unusual coverage in the latest edition of BBC Music Magazine, in its monthly session report feature. 'Song of Songs' features sensuous polyphony from the courts of Renaissance Europe, and seems to have filtered through to the singers' scores...read the article by clicking on the picture.

Oleg Marshev hits the high note in Gramophone review

2009-02-09T10:34:00.021Z

Virtuoso pianist Oleg Marshev has wowed critics with his 'astonishing' new CD release "Oleg Marshev in Recital", on the Danacord label. Marshev's interpretations of Lizst, Chopin and Scriabin have brought him once again to the forefront of the classical music scene...

Gramophone's Bryce Morrison says "This recital shows Oleg Marshev's formidable powers in a dazzling, ultra-romatic light... This is an astonishing, all-stops-out release, beautifully recorded". The disc has also received superlative praise from Classic FM Magazine and BBC Music Magazine. For the full Gramophone review please click here. Marshev_In_Recital_Gramophone