Reviews

BBC Music Magazine

A spirited version of Haydn’s Nelson Mass, with crisp, punchy orchestra and chorus and good soloists.

Ernst von Wanczura’s Russian Symphony, featuring basset clarinet, makes a lightweight yet likeable appendage.

Graham Lock
 

The Strad

For her new violin version of Bach’s D minor Concerto Kerstin Linder-Dewan has attempted to emulate the idiomatic figuration of Bach’s presumed original concept. Her musical text serves the work well and this invigorating recording is particularly impressive for her relaxed virtuosity and articulated rhythmic playing in the outer movements, her skilful appreciation of the harmonic complexities and conceits of Bach’s art and her supple view of the work overall.

Fiori Musicali, under Penelope Rapson’s careful direction, fields a small but able body of period instrumentalists, whose careful punctuation and sensitive interaction with the soloist make for a rewarding coherence.

The account of Bach’s second Brandenburg Concerto is accomplished rather than distinguished. Not so the performance of Zelenka’s A minor Sinfonia, whose brilliant Vivaldian opening movement and Bohemian central Capriccio and final Menuettos are eloquently performed, and whose sonorous bassoon-cello duet in the Aria da Capriccio is a sheer delight.

Robin Stowell
 

Gramophone

I found the programme enjoyable both for its musical content and for the affectionate way in which it is played …. Well worth exploring.

Nicholas Anderson
 

International Record Review

The accompaniment by Fiori Musicali ranges from single lute to full classical orchestra and is unfailingly stylish.
 

Musicweb International

What is particularly impressive in this selection of chamber works is how Vivaldi finds such a wide variety of expression and a kaleidoscope of colours. There is a free-flowing stream of joy and invention in these works that is a testament to Vivaldi’s art.

Fascinating and most attractive …

Michael Cookson
 

Early Music Review

There are six lovely performances on this recording ….there is
no denying the stylish and enjoyable playing of Fiori Musicali…..
a thoroughly enjoyable recording.
 

Audience feedback

I’d just like to say how much we enjoyed the concert last night. Every piece of music was sublime and the singing was out of this world.

We are running out of superlatives – Thursday night was just magnificent. Thank you, thank you!

Absolutely wonderful. Spellbinding and captivating.

The Concierto de Aranjuez was the best performance we have ever heard!

Truly inspirational. We shall remember it always.

Mr Handel’s Messiah. Gloriously endowed with power and glory, by Fiori Musicali – a priviledge to listen to and to look at.

Fiori Musicali has given me so much pleasure that I felt I had to say thank you for enhancing my quality of life, and for all the interesting people we have met.

Thank you for the most exquisite and inspiring concert – sublime.

Thank you for a ‘magical’ experience in a perfect setting [Boughton House].

Thank you for the truly wonderful concerts this year. Each one has been a fantastic experience.

You do a fantastic job of adding to the cultural life of the locality.

I cannot let today go by without writing to tell you how splendid I found yesterday’s Messiah. In 80 years of concert going I have not heard a more convincing or better sung performance.

Thank you! That was wonderful!

Castle Ashby was, quite honestly, the most inspired performance of Brandenburg 4 that I have ever heard — and the rest of the programme was equally sizzling; it seemed that the rain drumming on the church roof was merely God applauding. Bach would certainly have approved. Congratulations to all performers.

Just to say how much we enjoyed your concert this evening. Really splendid, and the best start to Christmas celebrations we know!

We so enjoyed last night! Handel would have been absolutely delighted to have heard it.

A short note to say how much we enjoyed Messiah this evening: outstanding! The orchestra and choir ensemble were impressive, the soloists were all superb… Thank you for a most inspiring and enjoyable evening!

The Messiah was sung to perfection.

Thank you for bringing such wonderful music making to our village. That amount will make a significant difference to our local target – such wonderful music – so beautifully played.

I know those who attended really appreciated the quality and beauty of the performances.
 

Participants

It was a great pleasure working with you all, especially as you are such a really good conductor and a fantastic musician.

It was an honour to have the opportunity to sing with you all and something truly special.

What a wonderful time I’ve had at the workshop and concert! Thank you so much for your expert tuition and patience in giving us the opportunity to sing at a professionally organised concert with a number of very talented performers. I loved both pieces of music especially the “surround sound” effect at the end of the concert.

It was AWESOME on Sunday, I really enjoyed it, thank you.

Such a pleasure to sing with you.

What a wonderful experience.

It was thrilling to sing with a professional orchestra – an experience to be remembered and the fulfilment of an ambition.

Thanks so much for making this weekend fun and fulfilling.

Thanks for all your help and guidance. It has been a great experience.

Thrilling. And please can we do it again some time.
 

Peter Davis – Oakham School

I was absolutely delighted with the whole event, and it was fabulous working with your great team who were all musically stylish and delightful collaborators.
 

James Hesford – Composer

…a wonderful concert at the Stationers’ Hall – such a great program and the performances were stunning.
 

Bedford Choral Society

Having Fiori did so much to make the performance very special.
 

Paul Trepte – Ely Cathedral

Renewed thanks for the superb playing of FIORI MUSICALI …. such a committed and pleasant bunch of players and it’s a real pleasure to have the privilege of working with musicians of this calibre .… I was particularly impressed with the ability of your choir …. here’s to the next venture.
 

Reading Bach Choir

We were all most impressed with the quality of your playing, both in accompaniment and in your solo items, and sincerely hope that we may be able to work together again in the future.
 

Iain Sloan

… my very grateful thanks to you and your wonderful team for the brilliant performance of the B minor Mass.
 

James Parsons

Congratulations on last night’s most moving and memorable concert at Crick. You are an instinctive and insightful musician!
 

Memorial Service

Both the singing and the organ were superb – quite outstanding , and you were so thoughtful and considerate with all the planning.
 

National Trust – Canons Ashby

From the traditions of the wandering minstrels through to the glorious music of the Renaissance, Fiori Musicali create music of transcendent beauty, performed with integrity by superb musicians in the finest classical tradition. We are proud to host them at Canons Ashby as we share the same passion for authenticity whilst making the past relevant and accessible to everyone. Experiencing the music of the past filling an ancient space is a spiritual experience that touches the emotions in a very special way, and one not to be missed.

Laura Malpas