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The first release in Nigel North's new series for BGS of the works of the master 18th-century lutenist Sylvius Leopold Weiss. Nigel North is one of Britain's best-known and loved musicians, appointed Professor of Lute at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at the age of just 21. North combines a historically-informed approach with his own natural musicality to create trully spellbinding performances. -
In 2013/14 the Tetra Guitar Quartet celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark this landmark in the ensemble’s history they are releasing a new CD, commissioning several new pieces, and offering a range of anniversary programmes.About Time is a new disc of premiere recordings, including two new Guitar Quartet works commissioned by Tetra from Roland Dyens (Comme un rond d'eau) and Tim Garland (Canterbury Bells). Also included is Stephen Goss's arrangement of 'Mahler Lieder' and 'Four pieces from the First Book of Consort Lessons' by Thomas Morley – the very first work performed by the group at their debut concert in 1988.The quartet has given over 500 concerts throughout the world and recorded seven studio CDs since its London debut 1988. Recital programmes in 2013/14 will include some old favourites, such as the Threepenny Opera Suite and the Carmen Fantasy, as well as some new arrangements of Mahler and Gershwin and specially commissioned pieces by Tim Garland and Roland Dyens. -
World-renowned lutenist Nigel North begins a new series of recordings with BGS exploring the lute works of il Divino, the nickname of Francesco Canova da Milano (1497-1543). -
The Eden Stell Guitar Duo return to disc on BGS with an exhilarating album of Brazilian Guitar Duo Music by Villa-Lobos, Assad, Gnattali & Bellinati. -
Nigel North continues his series of iconic lute recordings on BGS Records with the third volume in his series of works by Sylvius Leopold Weiss. Galanterie charts music for 13-course lute thought to have been composed between 1720 and 1730, whilst Weiss was employed as a royal chamber musician for the Elector August II of Saxony.Nigel North has assembled this programme of three sonatas, described by one of Weiss’s contemporaries as being: “... so filled with such ingenious, charming, well-connected ideas that one beautiful and exceptional thought accompanies another ... His playing consists of alternation between forcefulness and delicacy, as the music demands, and his concerti as well as his suites charm the ear extraordinarily.” -
VIDA Guitar Quartet return to disc on BGS Records with a new CD of quintessentially British music composed and arranged for Guitar Quartet. Featuring works by iconic composers including Britten, Elgar and Vaughan Williams, 'The Leaves Be Green' blends folk melodies and much-loved compositions in a collection of never-before heard arrangements for guitar quartet, featuring several world-premiere recordings. It also features original compositions for quartet by composers Stephen Dodgson and Timothy Bowers.The new recording continues to highlight Vida's passion for ground-breaking arrangements. Mark Ashford's version of the English Folk Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams is just one example of the quartet's ability to re-work established masterpieces with breath-taking virtuosity.
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IGNiTE is a unique and important release for the future of guitar music. All tracks offer great new guitar music, all especially commissioned by IGF’s Artistic Director Tom Kerstens. Tom’s G Plus Ensemble is dedicated to performing new music, its line-up of two guitars, strings and percussion, often using electronic effects, produces a ravishing and innovative sound. The new album presents new work by today’s most prestigious contemporary composers working in the UK such as Max Richter, Gabriel Jackson, Howard Skempton, Anna Meredith and John Metcalfe. -
The VIDA Guitar Quartet are delighted to announce the release of their new recording on BGS Records called Bachianas which features the music of Bach as well as music inspired by Bach, including two new pieces especially commissioned for this project. Presented as a kind of theme and variations on Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (in a stunning new arrangement for four guitars by Mark Eden) the programme presents music that takes its influence from Bach by composers such as Felix Mendelssohn and Heitor Villa Lobos. Also included are new works by Howard Skempton, who celebrated his 70th birthday this autumn, and talented young composer Laura Snowden. This promises to be the most exciting recording to date from the VIDA Guitar Quartet! Here is a behind the scene peek at the recording of Laura’s Bach inspired piece called ‘Light Perpetuum’ with amazing Soprano Saxophonist Amy Green … -
The lute music of il Divino Francesco Canova da Milano (1497 - 1543), Vol. 2 For lute and viola da mano -
New CD from the Eden Stell Guitar Duo of the complete Cançons I Danses by the Catalan composer Federico Mompou.
