Finalists in the Gramophone Awards announced

The shortlist has been announced for the 2009 Classic FM Gramophone Awards and there is success for two Linn artists: Dunedin Consort and Retrospect Trio.  Gramophone considers this year's selection of recordings to be "one of the strongest of all". The final selections will be announced in the Awards issue of Gramophone Magazine, on sale on October 3rd.

This is the second time the Dunedin Consort have been shortlisted in the 'Baroque Vocal' category.  They were also shortlisted in 2007 for their recording of Handel's "Messiah (Dublin Version, 1742)", a category in which they triumphed and won their first major award!  Two years on they are shortlisted for another Handel recording: "Acis and Galatea (Original Cannons Performing Version 1718)".  Let's hope that history repeats itself and they will claim yet another award!

• "Handel fans rejoice - a definitive Acis and Galatea at last!"  Audiophile Audition
• CD of the Month: "Utterly magical." Gramophone
• Opera & Vocal Disc of the Month: "The freshness with which they sing radiates joy throughout."   Classic FM

 

Retrospect Trio are shortlisted in the 'Baroque Instrumental' category for their debut album "Henry Purcell: Ten Sonatas in Four Parts", which marks the 350th birthday of Henry Purcell.  The Trio is an exciting new chamber group formed under the umbrella of the larger Retrospect brand.. Each member of the group is a distinguished international performer in their own right with a shared passion for historically-informed music-making. They are Sophie Gent and Matthew Truscott on violin, Jonathan Manson on bass viol and Mathew Halls on organ and harpsichord.

• Classical CD of the Week: "The playing is immaculate." The Sunday Times
• 10/10: "Outstanding!" ClassicsToday.com
• Editor's Choice: "Ripe emotional tension...impeccable technique." Gramophone