ACCENT | ACC24194 | CD | 4015023241947
Solos for a German Flute
Works by Handel, Dieupart
Frank Theuns (traverse flute), Les Buffardins
Although Handel seems to have written only one sonata specifically for the traverse flute (the B Minor), there are versions for this instrument of his Sonatas in G Major and in E Minor. Charles Dieupart's Ouvertures in B Minor and E Minor from his Six Suites de Clavessin Divisees (1701) show the expressive instrument in a different light. Frank Theuns plays a modern traverse flute based on an historical instrument made in London around 1710. He is joined by Martin Bauer (viola da gamba) and Siebe Henstra (harpsichord), who likewise play beautiful modern instruments based on period models. Frank Theuns also features on other marvellous Accent discs: Sonatas by Blavet (ACC23154), Boismortier (ACC24168), Monteclair (ACC24163) and Hotteterre (ACC21149) - each of which is available as part of the Select Connoisseur Collection at participating stores.

AELOUS | AE10023 | SACD | 4026798100230
St Emmeram Mensural Codex
Music by Brassar, Roullet, Liebert, Landini, Vaillant, Haringen, Schweikl, Edlerawer, Dufay and others
Stimmerwerck Vocal Ensemble
The manuscript known as the St Emmeran Codex, preserved at the Benedictine monastery in Regensburg, is a crucial source of late Medieval polyphonic music by many of the leading composers of the period. In addition to sublime vocal works by the likes of Dufay, Dunstable, Landini and Binchois, this glorious new release also includes excerpts from the Buxheimer Orgelbuch played by Leon Berben on the gothic organ of St Andreas in Soest-Ostoennen. Stimmemwerck, a male vocal quartet, are joined by guest singers Edzard Burchards (countertenor) and Christof Hartkopf (bass). Altogether, this is a disc to treasure - neatly packaged, with illustrated booklet, and superb audio quality.

CARUS | CAR83263 | CD | 4009350832633
Bach's Pupils
Music by Homilius, CPE & JCF Bach, Kirnberger, Doles, Krebs, Altnickol
Vocal Concert Dresden, Dresden Instrumental Concert, Peter Koop (director)
Many of JS Bach's pupils became notable composers in their own right, establishing their own credentials based on the Leipzig master's sound musical training. This delightful CD presents seven vocal/instrumental works that showcase the originality of the music written during the latter half of the 18th Century that boast innovative voice-leading, expressive melodic lines and new harmonic turns. Each piece creates its own musical place within the shift from the Baroque to the Classical styles. Peter Kopp's Vocal Consort and Instrumental Concert perform with unaffected stylishness on this highly enjoyable disc.

CARUS | CAR83421 | CD | 4009350834217
Handel O Praise The Lord - Psalms and Anthems
Nisi Dominus, Laudate Pueri, I Will Magnify Thee, O Praise The Lord With One Consent
Iris-Anna Deckert, Susan Eitrich (soprano), Franz Vitzthum (alto), Dieter Wagner, Andreas Weller (tenor), Jens Hamann (bass), Gli Scarlattisti, Jochen M Arnold (director)
Next year the world will mark the 250th anniversary of Handel's death. This new release is the first in a series of Handel albums being issued on the Carus label. Two of the works (Nisi dominus and Laudate Pueri) date from the composer's educational trip to Rome in 1707. I Will Magnify Thee was written once he had settled in London and reused in part in his oratorio Belshazzar. O Praise The Lord With One Consent is one of the most magnificent anthems Handel composed for the Duke of Chandos. So, overall, this disc presents a fascinating survey of the sacred music Handel wrote to meet different needs of his various patrons and employers.

CHRISTOPHORUS | CHE01342 | CD | 4010072013422
D'India Arias, Madrigals and Laments
Gudrun Anders (soprano), Sigrun Richter (archlute, citarrone), Hille Perl (viola da gamba, lirone)
Sigismondo d'India, Italian nobleman and contemporary of Monterverdi, exclusively wrote vocal music. Even today, his musical language astonishes us with its audacious chromatic harmonies, clashing dissonances and emotional leaping melodies - all with the aim of achieving maximum emotional expressiveness. It's possible that he was influenced by the infamous Carlo Gesualdo di Venosa, yet d'India's voice is recognisably his own. The arias, canzonettas, madrigals and laments on this disc are drawn from all of d'India's printed collections, providing a useful survey of his oeuvre. Short instrumental works by Kapsberger and Piccinni are also included.

CHRISTOPHORUS | CHE01352 | CD | 4010072013521
Moscheles Symphony in C, Piano Concerto No 6 Op 90, Maid of Orleans Overture
Liu Xiao Ming (piano), Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt, Nikos Athinaos (conductor)
If only recordings had existed when Ignaz Moscheles played music with Hummel, Mendelssohn, Liszt and Chopin! The next best thing, perhaps, is a disc such as this, which presents an overture, a concerto and a symphony by this personable but unfortunately somewhat neglected virtuoso. So closely was Moscheles associated with the piano that the Overture to The Maid of Orleans and the Symphony in C are his only major works to lack this instrument. All three works are good examples of his classico-romantic style: clearly structured, yet highly emotional, and richly rewarding for we who listen today.

CHRISTOPHORUS | CHR77295 | CD | 4010072772954
Le Bal - Social Dances in the Early Baroque
Music by Praetorius, Cordier, Nau, Mangeant
Regina Kabis (soprano), Benoit Haller (tenor), I Ciarlatini, Klaus Winkler (direction)
While the dance culture of the early-mid Baroque (for instance the court of Louis XIV at Versailles) is well researched, little is known about the less formal social dances that were popular in Europe from around 1600. This wonderful disc reveals an amazing variety of music, generally played by small ensembles, perhaps also involving song, and all brimming with the sheer joy of informal social get-togethers. I Ciarlatani have collaborated with early dance expert Nicoline Winkler to recreate a world of entertainment that will delight your ears and maybe even get your feet tapping!

CHRISTOPHORUS | CHR77299 | CD | 4010072772992
Paulus - Gregorian Chants on Pauline Texts
Frauenschola Exsulta Sion Freiburg, Christoph Honerlage (director)
On 28 June 2008, the Eve of the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict XVI will announce the 'Year of St Paul'. Many passages from St Paul's extensive writings to centres of the early Christian church have entered the Catholic liturgy and were sung to Gregorian melodies in Medieval times. As a theologian and church musician, Christoph Honerlage is well placed to explore this musical heritage with his vocal ensemble. To complement the divine sound of the female voices of the Frauenschola Exsulta Sion Freiburg, Honerlage provides a fascinating introduction to the Apostle's life and its central position within the Gregorian chant tradition.

PAN CLASSICS | PC10206 | CD | 7619990102064
Sonatas, Battle and Laments
Chamber Music from the Collection of the Olmuetz Bishop Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn, Music by Poglietti, Rittler, Fischer, Bertali, Schmelzer and Kerll
Ensemble CordArte
More than 1,400 compositions, including 225 sonatas and 236 ballets, were collected between 1664 and 1695 in manuscripts for the Olmuetz Bishop Karl von Liechenstein-Castelcorn, one of the most important sources of 17th-century music from German-speaking countries. Some of the pieces have been recorded here for the first time. The Cologne-based ensemble CordArte plays two violins, piccolo violin, viola, alto and bass viol, violone and continuo (harp with either harpsichord or organ) to create a lush and beautiful instrumental palette for this virtuosic and imaginative repertoire.