MusicWeb InternationalRecording of the Month: 'I will not be surprised if this recording of the St. John Passion comes to be regarded as a landmark in the work's already distinguished discography.'
more >>The Guardian
Live Review
more >>Music OMHLive Review
more >>voix-des-arts.blogspot.co.uk'The Dunedin Consort prove themselves to be instrumentalists of extraordinary ability.'
more >>Early Music Review'This is far and away the most musical and satisfying performance around among the many, many versions available.'
more >>BBC Music Magazine
Recording of the Month: 'a dramatic, profoundly considered reading.'
more >>Early Music Review'Whatever St John Passion you own, buy this one - it's unique!'
more >>Sunday Times'Linn offers a fascinating extra dimension.'
more >>Irish Times'the performance is nimble on its feet.'
more >>The Observer'Historic and supremely important'
more >>Audiophile Audition'The performance is a fine one, even exceptional'
more >>Financial Times'wonderfully pure, buoyant and transparent.'
more >>Herald ScotlandLive Review from Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow
more >>The GuardianLive Review from Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow
more >>SA-CD.net'Inspirational on every level.'
more >>The Times'the liturgical experience offers benefits to heart and mind'
more >>MusicWeb InternationalRecording of the Month: 'an exceptionally fine small-scale performance'
more >>The Herald'A breakthrough on Bach's John Passion'
more >>The Big Issue'The impact is huge. The architecture, emotion and implication of Bach's music all change.'
more >>McAlister Matheson Music'This Johannes Passion performance is without doubt the most involving and dramatic I have encountered.'
more >>GramophoneRecording of the Month: '...[a] perfectly paced ensemble Passion'
more >>Gramophone'As the Dunedin Consort record Bach's St John Passion in the context of a Good Friday vespers, David Vickers speaks to John Butt and others about the rewards of liturgical reconstruction.'
more >>The TimesVoted one of the top 10 classical albums of 2012 by The Times
PizzicatoA review in French.
more >>Early Music Review'The Dunedin Consort perform as a tight and capable band and Butt once again has proved himself the master of dramatic pacing. Thoroughly recommended.'
more >>BBC Music Magazine
'a two-voices-to-a-part chorus achieves more immediacy than a larger choir, coupled with a stylish and delightfully intimate band.'
more >>resmusica.comReview in French
more >>Audiophile Audition'...the results are very nice indeed...all the soloists are excellent.'
more >>MusicWeb International'I'd go for the new recording of the 1720 version.'
more >>BBC Radio 3 'CD Review''We need this thrilling recording...The sound on this is wonderful.'
more >>AllMusic.com'majestic choruses'
more >>SA-CD.net'Hugely recommended in every respect.'
more >>International Record Review'...one of the most attractive versions on disc.'
more >>MusicWeb International'The Dunedin Consort, John Butt and Linn have already brought us some excellent recordings of Handel and Bach* and this new Esther is worthy to stand with them'.
more >>Gramophone'So much in Butt's carefully prepared performance feels exactly right.'
more >>The Guardian'...wonderfully crafted music making.'
more >>The Times'...more than enough to keep us on the edge of our seats.'
more >>Gramophone'Butt's direction combines spontaneous freshness with a care for expressive phrasing and precise colouring.'
more >>Gramophone'...Brook's performance of the villain Haman's ‘Turn not, O Queen' transfixes everyone...'
more >>Presto Classical'The ever-excellent James Gilchrist is at his most mellifluous here...'
more >>McAlister Matheson Music'...vibrant performances of the highest quality...'
more >>The Consort"...the beauty alone of many of the solo numbers would make it worth buying."
more >>ClassiqueInfo Disque'La qualité de l’orchestre, notamment est étonnante et...Les tempos sont toujours justes, les soli d’une justesse miraculeuse...'
more >>Toccata-Alte Musik Aktuell"...eröffnet ein Feuerwerk an Klangfarben..."
more >>SoundStageExperience.com"Great sound and great performance in one recording. That's rare."
more >>ClassicalNet...this account is full of expression and articulations of the divine...the choral singing is uniformly uplifting
more >>Concerto Das Magazin fur Alte Musik"Und emfehlen kann man diese Aufnahme uneingeschränkt: Die Arien sind ebenso ansprechend geraten wie die teils mit, teils ohne die Ripienostimmen gesungenen Chöre; das Instrumentalspiel ist vom Feinsten."
more >>Musik an sich..."...die reicher instrumentierten, konzertanten Sätze..."
more >>Early Music Review"There have been many recordings...but in my opinion the Dunedin is the first to come anywhere near challenging it."
more >>Audio Video Club of Atlanta"This recording will provide abundant pleasure to Bach lovers..."
more >>Early Music Review (Live)"Every now and then there is a concert that just blows me away..."
more >>Klassik.com"...Diese Einspielung sollte..."
more >>The Guardian"...this is a fascinating and hugely rewarding account..."
more >>ClassicsTodayFrance.com"Fervente, parce que l'expression est très étudiée et travaillée."
more >>Classic FM Magazine"The awe-inspiring intricacy of Bach's part-writing has been wonderfully magnified..."
more >>BBC Music MagazineNo performance could better justify small-scale Bach than this convincing marriage of scholarship and inspiration.
more >>GramophoneEditor's Choice: "This performance demands to be heard."
more >>Sunday Herald"...this B minor Mass is special."
more >>Audiophile Audition"...there is much to recommend here, and no one purchasing will be disappointed."
more >>Sunday Times"[The] performance is powerful and beautifully shaped..."
more >>North London News"Sharp, pointed playing and singing in a recording that is a hallmark for authenticity in Bach performance."
The Times"Surely no other recording of Bach's B Minor Mass bounces along with such joy as this..."
more >>Sound and Music"...una delle novità più interessanti della discografia bachiana degli ultimi anni."
more >>Independent on Sunday"Bach's B-minor Mass has many attractive features..."
more >>Financial Times"The result is clean..."
more >>International Record Review"...spine-tingling..."
more >>McAlister Matheson"This recording deserves a place in everyone's CD collection."
more >>Philadelphia Enquirer"...radiant vocal timbres and airtight blends."
Opus Musica"Se obtiene una evidente claridad de texturas y se gana en ligereza y flexibilidad..."
more >>BBC Online"...lovers of this great work will find much to appreciate - and even discover anew."
more >>ClassicsToday.com"...you can really lose yourself in this performance..."
more >>The Observer"A definitive recording."
more >>Musical Pointers (Live)"A very distinguished production..."
more >>Rondo"Interpretatorisch gibt es sehr viel Schönes in dieser Neueinspielung..."
more >>MusicWeb International"I have no hesitation in following suit and placing this at the head of my recommendations..."
more >>Stereophile2009 Records To Die For: "...this performance of the Christian Passion story grips you by the ears."
more >>Philadelphia Inquirer"If there's a state-of-the-art Handel recording, it's this."
more >>6moons"...this recording is a jewel..."
more >>Choral Journal"...the soloists sing with beauty and a genuine understanding..."
more >>Choral Journal"They play with stylish vigor..."
more >>Choral Journal"...they offer a dramatic immediacy of expression that scarcely any choir can match."
more >>High Fidelity (Poland)An outstanding review from the Polish publication
more >>San Francisco Classical Voice"[Butt's] Handel is fit for paradise."
more >>OpusHDOpus d'Or Award: "...comblera aussi bien les audiophiles que les mélomanes."
more >>OpusHD (translation)Opus d'Or Award: "...will make both audiophile and music lover rejoice."
more >>Norra Västerbotten"Acis och Galatea" är inger av Händels mer kända oratorium....
more >>Rondo"Dunedin Consort präsentieren eine gelungene, unbedingt hörenswerte Einspielung der 1718er Version..."
more >>Muzyka21An outstanding review from the Polish publication
more >>SvDutförs med fin känsla av ensemble, kör och solister
more >>Klassik.com"Die Dunedin Consort & Players spielen brillant."
more >>Classical WETA"The recording quality and sound of this Linn disc is, as usual with this audiophile label, stupendous."
more >>Sunday Herald"...this performance radiates life and personality..."
more >>MusicWeb InternationalRecording of the Month: "Already a strong contender for the 2009 Recording of the Year..."
more >>Audiophile Audition"Handel fans rejoice - a definitive Acis and Galatea at last!"
more >>Opus Musica"...cálida expresividad..."
more >>BBC Music Magazine"...sheer magic..."
more >>AudioVideoHD"...un puro gozo."
more >>Financial Times"Such radiant music-making is an ideal hors d'oeuvre for the upcoming Handel year."
more >>GramophoneCD of the Month: "...utterly magical."
more >>Early Music Review"A marvellous performance!"
more >>Classic FM MagazineOpera & Vocal Disc of the Month: "...the freshness with which they sing radiates joy throughout the entire score."
more >>International Record Review[An] outstanding new recording...warmly recommended.
more >>Sunday TimesButt takes advantage of the most up-to-date scholarship
more >>SA-CD.net"...will light up a grey, miserable winters day."
more >>The Guardian"Butt kept the action moving with his customary energy..."
more >>The Herald"...Handel at his most wondrous."
more >>The ObserverCD of the Week: "...wonderfully intimate reading..."
more >>The Scotsman"...genuinely refreshing and revelatory..."
more >>McAlister Matheson"...one of the freshest and most vibrant recordings I have heard."
more >>Fono ForumThe German publication reviews the 3LP set
more >>Opus Musica"...a interpretación es luminosa y clara..."
more >>AudioVideoHD"Unos timbres de excepcional calidad, brillan en toda la obra..."
more >>AudioEnz"How does it sound? Well in one word: Glorious."
more >>Pizzicato'Supersonic Award' for the Dunedin's recording
more >>Hi-Fi News"Superb"
more >>The Absolute Sound"beautifully rendered"
more >>CD Compact"El resultado sonoro es escalofriante, ni débil ni esquelético, ni pobre, sino perfectamente equilibrado..."
more >>Toccata"Die gesamte Interpretation atmet Fröhlichkeit, Spielfreude und höchstes Musiziervergnügen."
more >>Hi-Fi NewsA recording with 'intimacy and immediacy'
more >>Star Ledger of New Jersey"fresh, fine-tuned voices, a beautifully textured instrumental sound."
more >>High FidelityAn excellent review from the Polish Audiophile publication
more >>MusicWeb International"...this one is very special indeed."
more >>ClassicalSource.comLinn's impressive LP presentation of "Messiah" can truly be described as 'state of the art'
more >>Opus Musica"Excelente..."
more >>Atlanta Audio Society"...a really memorable and persuasive Matthew Passion..."
more >>Audiophile Audition"...this one is tough to beat."
more >>Klassik.com"Sehr gutes Potenzial."
more >>LP Magazin"Die Pressung ist erstklassig, und auch bezüglich des Klangs nimmt dieser "Messias" eine Ausnahmestellung ein."
more >>The Sunday TelegraphA performance of 'disarming emotional and dramatic immediacy'
more >>The GuardianThere's no doubt that this one is the pick of this year's crop...tinglingly vivid.
more >>The Berkshire ReviewSuperb
more >>Financial Timessheer intimacy of musical and dramatic dialogue
more >>The HeraldThey've done it again...the singing is to die for...
more >>Kennis & Cultuur'Deze Deze Matthäus Passion komt uit Edinburgh.....'
more >>Daily MailNicholas Mulroy is an excellent Evangelist
more >>De Gelderlander'Kopers van Bachpassies zitten tegenwoordig met een luxeprobleem...'
more >>classicalsource.comThe musicianship of the youthful Dunedin Players is, quite simply, second to none
more >>BerlingskeAlligevel skal man lede længe efter en flottere indspilning... Musikerne spiller som en drøm.
more >>McAlister Matheson Music Newsletterone of the most dramatically involving and emotionally searing performances of this work to have appeared on disc
more >>BBC Music MagazineMy new benchmark. Performance ***** / Sound *****
more >>PreludeWonderbaarlijk mooie Mattheuspassie
more >>Trouw"Dit is een versie waarin musicology is omgezet in verrassende muzikaliteit."
more >>BBC OnlineFrom the word go, the Dunedin Consort draws you in.
more >>GramophoneButt's St Matthew is truly original in spheres resonating beyond established parameters. Gramophone Recommended.
more >>The ScotsmanA highlight of 2008...brilliantly proficient
more >>TrouwVerfrissende ontdekkingsreis door Bachs Matthaus Passion is verrassend.
more >>Classic FM magazineDisc of the Month! Performances of stunning conviction
more >>Independent on Sundayone of the finest available one-voice-per-part Bach performances
more >>The ObserverThe playing and the singing is outstanding. Highly recommended.
more >>SA-CD.netHighly recommended indeed
more >>SA-CD.netHighly recommended - indeed, this version is probably the first choice for this ever popular work.
more >>Hi Fi ChoiceThis is a stunning performance, and a brilliant recording...
more >>Inverness CourierThe Consort deliver a fresh and hugely enjoyable perspective on the music
more >>Classic FM Magazine...nothing but praise
more >>Allmusic.comALBUM OF THE DAY - One of the most compelling and engaging Messiahs on disc.
more >>Atlanta Audio Society NewsletterAn additional plus is the excellent diction of these singers (should that surprise us about the Scots?). This is one time when you don't need to have the booklet firmly in hand in order to understand an oratorio in English!
more >>The Guardianan authoritative bass in Matthew Brook, and a superb contralto (one of three) in Clare Wilkinson, whose heart-stopping delivery of the words "And ye shall find rest unto your souls," sets the tone for the whole performance.
more >>The Timesthe real highlights are the choruses
more >>Bloomberg.com...one of the most intimate "Messiahs" available.
more >>The Sunday TelegraphThe playing of the Dunedin Players under John Butt is admirably crisp, and the singing of the Consort disciplined and clear in enunciation.
more >>Gramophone MagazineThe freshest, most natural, revelatory and transparently joyful Messiah I have heard for a very long time.
more >>BBC Music MagazineStylish, fresh and more intimate.
more >>The ScotsmanA genuine sparkle which lifts Handel's music above the ordinary, and a fresh angle for just about every moment.
more >>The Times[a] most imaginatively planned programme
more >>Daily Telegraphunaccompanied, glowingly sung and recorded
more >>Sunday HeraldCrisp singing and clear diction is matched by outstanding technical ability by the singers
more >>