Recorder31 Day 12 | New Release Round-Up

Since last year's Recorder31, there has been a plethora of amazing recorder music released by some fantastic artists – so today, we thought we'd put together a round-up of eight discs our team have enjoyed in the past 12 months. We'd love to know what you think of our choices!

By the way – all of these albums are available now from The Early Music Shop... (What are the chances?!) Simply click on the title or album cover to visit the product page for each one.

Click here to discover all CDs at The Early Music Shop.

Ensemble Odyssee – Original & Counterfeit

A new release from Ensemble Odyssee, featuring recorder player Anna Stegmann, where reconstructed versions of Bach’s concertos take centre stage and the bright, powerful sound of this group shines throughout the disc. The programme concludes with Bach’s own reimagination of his Brandenburg Concerto No. 4; a fascinating chance to hear this well-known work in a different light.

Scroll to the bottom of this blog to be in with a chance of winning one of two copies of Ensemble Odyssee’s new album.

Juho Myllylä – Herder’s Herd

Finnish musician Juho Myllylä, known for his work with The Royal Wind Music and Ensemble Gamut! (who themselves released a new album earlier this year), issued his first solo disc of contemporary recorder music in February. Featuring six works composed for Myllylä himself, some with added electronics, and with a wide range of recorders used, this music is at times expansive and enchanting, and at times angular and avant-garde.

Check back this weekend to hear more from Juho Myllylä!

The Royal Wind Music – The Orpheus of Amsterdam

Back in the autumn, The Royal Wind Music played at the London International Festival of Early Music to a rapturous reception. Shortly before the performance this great disc of Sweelinck was released – a sumptuous-sounding disc with the ensemble’s 11-piece consort singing its way through this programme of organ works, vocal pieces and a few carefully-chosen new compositions.

Erik Bosgraaf & Ensemble Cordevento – Telemann: Chamber Music with Recorder

With his new album, Erik Bosgraaf teams up with the virtuosic members of Ensemble Cordevento to present a comprehensive look through Telemann’s chamber music including trio sonatas, quartets and concertos for seven musicians. Spanning an impressive 2.5 hour runtime over two packed discs, this could well prove to be the definitive recording of this repertoire.

Ensemble Hesperi – A Gift for your Garden

Featuring recorder player Mary-Jannet Leith, Telemann was once again in the spotlight on Ensemble Hesperi’s latest album. A Gift for your Garden presents works with a strong affinity for the natural world, both by the performers and composers. Telemann’s own love of horticulture is enhanced with works by Oswald, Handel and Graun, with the ensemble’s close-knit sound growing and blossoming throughout the disc.

Tabea Debus & Tom Foster – folio: Lessons from the Master

This month’s featured album, Tabea Debus’ brilliant new recording ‘folio’ deserves another mention here! A chance to explore the music and pedagogy of J S Bach through five imagined lessons, Tabea’s skilled playing and her collaboration with Tom Foster make this inspired programme a must-listen.

Click here to find out more about this album and to read Tabea’s exclusive interview for Recorder31.

Max Volbers & Alexander von Heißen – Foreign Masters

On his debut recording for Berlin Classics, Max Volbers takes his listeners on a journey through 18^th Century London and the rich melting-pot of music being published and presented in the city at this exciting time. In a virtuosic performance spanning Handel, Corelli, Scarlatti and more (the celebrity composers of their day), Volbers demonstrates his skill in musical storytelling and a passion for the music presented.

Baroque Alchemy – Breaking Free

Fresh from their recent recital for The Early Music Shop in Saltaire, Baroque Alchemy features the acclaimed Eagle recorders of Piers Adams (Red Priest) alongside striking keyboard work from Lyndy Mayle. By replacing the traditional harpsichord with synthesisers and electric keyboards, the duo present this music as it’s never been heard before, in a programme ranging from Argentine tangos to J S Bach’s Goldberg Suite.

Coming Soon...

Watch this space for more brilliant recorder releases coming soon! Alongside many others, two of our Recorder31 contributors are currently funding upcoming releases.

Heidi Fardell, whose video on recorder music by female composers was released last weekend, is currently fundraising for an album of repertoire published by Jeanne Roger, a female publisher in the 18th Century. In the process, Heidi hopes to highlight and celebrate some of the hidden women in music history. Donate to the project by clicking here, ahead of the album's release in November.

Pierre Hamon, who will be appearing very soon in a Recorder31 Side-By-Side Interview, will be releasing a new album with his group, La Chacana, entitled 'Incas & Conquistadors'. Featuring Pierre on recorders and aerophones, the album will tell the story of the encounter between the Spaniards and the Incas in 1519. The project is currently crowdfunding and you can find out more by clicking here.

Win a CD!

Thank you to Anna Stegmann of Ensemble Odyssee for giving us the opportunity to offer two CD copies of their new album, 'Original & Counterfeit' for Recorder31 readers!

To enter, simply answer the following question in the comments of this blog post, or on our social media:

One of the concerti on Ensemble Odyssee's new album is Bach's BWV 1052 – for which instrument was that concerto originally written?

Entries close at 12pm BST on Tuesday 19 August – good luck!

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Today's audio samples come from the Moeck Rottenburgh Alto in Stained Pearwood. This relatively soft wood has an airy tone and, typical of the Rottenburgh range, is a great-sounding instrument with strong reliability of sound. Check out the audio clips below or follow this link to find out more about this instrument.

Listen to this recorder! 

Bach Sarabande:

Vivaldi La Notte:

Scale: