Discography
GUILLAUME DUFAY (?1397-1474) Mass for St Anthony Abbot GILLES DE BINCHOIS (c1400-1460) Motets
'these singers are superbly experienced in this kind of repertoire, and they thrill us with the supple lines of the Alleluia, the vigour of the Credo and the swirling counterpoint of the Sanctus ? These singers are at their best, though, in the Binchois Agnus - sustaining the endless phrases with great continuity and musical sense' (BBC Music Magazine)
'This is music of spellbinding beauty, and Kirkman's team deliver it superbly' (The Times)
'The blend is immaculate, the sound refined, the impetus well sustained. They relish the play of lines. And they sound devout' (The Sunday Times)
'This is exquisite, intricate music, and the Binchois Consort are ideal interpreters of its subtleties - and they're even more persuasive in the motets and Mass movements by their namesake' (The Independent)
'The Binchois Consort have by now established themselves as pre-eminent interpreters of Dufay's sacred music. Andrew Kirkman has an unfailing touch in matters of tempo, rhythm and vocal balance. The all-male voices are svelte, polished and immaculately in tune. The Consort's beautifully burnished tone is well served by the sympathetic acoustic of All Saints Church, Tooting, faithfully captured by Hyperion's engineers. Add to these an unusually expansive and informative set of booklet essays by Philip Weller and the whole package is irresistible' (International Record Review)
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Dufay (attrb)- Missa Puisque je vis Loyset Compere - Omnium bonorum plena Dufay - Ave regina celorum
?5 stars?, BBC Music Magazine, September, 2003
?Diapason découverte?, Diapason, September, 2003
'As ever with this ensemble the singing is muscular and clean-cut, with Kirkman's direction bringing out every detail.' (Early Music Review)
'Formed in 1995 The Binchois Consort have clocked up just six recordings, all devoted to the sophisticated world of fifteenth-century sacred polyphony. Their efforts have won widespread critical acclaim and their small but ground-breaking discography is now beginning to look like one of the most valuable jewels in Hyperion's already fairly glittery crown. In the hands of the Binchois Consort this extraordinarily personal and deeply internal music resonates down the centuries with immense power' (International Record Review)
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ANTOINE BUSNOIS (c1430-1492) Missa L'Homme armé PETRUS DE DOMARTO (15th C.) Missa Spiritus almus
"Editor"s Choice," Gramophone, December, 2002.
Goldberg - "G5" rating 2003
'...musicianship of a very high order, transcending specialisms.' (Fabrice Fitch, 'Gramophone', December 2002)
'The performance is absolutely outstanding...perfectly tuned and finding the singers responding to every nuance...' (Goldberg)
'The performance is a triumph.' (Fanfare)
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JOSQUIN DES PRES and his contemporaries
Runner-up, "Early Music Recording of the Year" for 2001-2, Gramophone.
'This fascinating and compelling CD gives us a rare chance to explore genuine compositions by Josquin alongside several of disputed authorship' (BBC Music Magazine)
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A Marriage of England and Burgundy
"Recommandé," Répertoire, February, 2001; "Choc," Le Monde de la Musique, March, 2001
'A very fine disc. Another first-rate disc from Andrew Kirkman: this is a must' (International Record Review)
'Excellent. It is a perfect example of that all-too-rare marriage of first-rate scholarship and high-quality musicianship' (Daily Telegraph)
'...it is difficult to imagine more lucid or elegant performances.' (Fabrice Fitch, 'Gramophone', December 2000)
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GUILLAUME DUFAY (c1400-1474) Music for St James the Greater
GRAMOPHONE RECORDING OF THE MONTH
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE
'Early Music Recording of the Year' for 1998-9, Gramophone
'Recording of the Month', The Gramophone, July, 1998
'Classic CD Choice', Classic CD, July 1998
'Early Music Disc of the Month', Classic FM Magazine, August, 1998
'Diapason d'Or', Diapason, September 1998
'R10' Répertoire, September, 1998
'So utterly compelling is this recording that I can imagine it acquiring cult status' (Gramophone)
'The Binchois Consort again demonstrates that it can handle the contemplative and celebratory music with equal skill.' (Barry Witherden, 'Classic CD', July 1998)
'This superb group, directed by Andrew Kirkman, accomplish as much by way of genuine interpretation as lies within the power of the performing artist.' (John Steane, 'Gramophone', October 1998)
'Director Andrew Kirkman brings a doleful majesty to the full-voiced declamation, and delicatesse to the finely drawn dialogues between parts.' (Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, 'Classic FM Magazine', August 1998)
'...the vocal strength and almost mystical sensibility of the men's voices of The Binchois Consort...This interpretation is touched by a deep humanity that struck me silent.' (Sylvian Gasser, 'Répertoire', September, 1998)
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GUILLAUME DUFAY (c1400-1474) Music for St Anthony of Padua
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE
'A felicitous marriage of scholarship and first-rate musicianship' (Soundscapes, Australia)
'...dramatic delivery of the text and an emotional intensity...' (Hugh Canning, 'The Sunday Times, 21 July 1996)
'...breathtaking rhythmic verve...' (Fabrice Fitch, 'Gramophone', September 1996)
'...marvelously invigorating...' (Fabrice Fitch, 'Gramophone', December 1996)
'...directly sublime, coolly elegant...effortless directness and a subtlety of sound...' ('Neue Musik Zeitschrift', January 1997)
'...at once contemplative and vigorous...Charged with emotion, underlining in a strongly appropriate fashion the expressive writing of Dufay in his mature works, The Binchois Consort give this Mass a great force.' (Francois Camper, 'Repertoire', January 1997)
'The recording compels the listener. It fascinates and demands in the best sense. Thrilling.' ('Alte Musik Aktuell', September 1997)