Academy of Ancient Music

The Times said of Alan Hacker: “to everything, even a Frescobaldi Canzona arranged for clarinet and piano, in defiance of the Authenticity movement for which Hacker has elsewhere laboured valuably, he has something uncommon, fresh and very musical to bring. He is without doubt, our clarinet player hors concours, a musician to be treasured in our midst".

“With a different soloist for each of the four concertos, Hogwood directs the Academy of Ancient Music in lively performances with exceptionally imaginative use of continuo contrasts…..These performances have a high place among authentic versions”***Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

“The sequence of dances, beautifully performed on original instruments by Hogwood’s Academy, is consistently sharp and refreshing, helping to revive an undeservedly neglected name”.***Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

“As often in the 1970s 'period' boom, French Baroque slipped through L'Oiseau-Lyre's net. After this enterprising, committed and long-unavailable disc of colourful ballets, Hogwood spent years on the Viennese classics - but how well have they aged?” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 ****

“The Academy of Ancient Music is in world-beating form once more with this magnificent Handel disc. Egarr and the musicians play with dynamism and warmth which suggests that Egarr's tenure with this band is going to be a rewarding one. Long may it last.” Gramophone Magazine

“For those of us who have always secretly preferred the colourful, unruly and slightly raffish qualities of Op.3 to the staid perfection of Op.6 this magnificent recording is both a vindication and an unfailing delight.” International Record Review

"A true delight…Where Manze's particular success lies is in conjuring the atmosphere of the past and in the sheer joyousness and freshness which these performances convey…It is quite an achievement when a recording stirs anticipation of three different things at once, but this one does. So let's hope for Corelli's Op.5 from Manze, Corelli's Op.6 from The Academy, and more music by Geminiani by either or both. When do they start?" Gramophone Editor's Choice

"Emma Kirby sings the exacting solo parts with apparently effortless fluency... these are spectacular performances, enhanced by the fine choral and orchestral support guided by the sure hand of Christopher Hogwood, and vividly recorded." - Gramophone.

"This is a superb issue, and deserves wide circulation" - Musicweb International.

“This is a very special recording. Not only is it of quite outstanding quality both musically and dramatically, but, being sung entirely by male voices associated with a single institution (all the soloists are past or present members of New College Choir), it probably comes as close as modern conditions permit to a sound that Bach would have recognized.” The Daily Telegraph