The Prince Consort returns with an “outstanding release”

Following the world premiere performance of Stephen Hough’s Other Love Songs at Wigmore Hall in June, The Prince Consort’s latest recording – featuring the new song-cycle alongside both sets of LiebesliederWaltzer by Brahms – is proving a hit with the critics.

Richard Wigmore, writing in Gramophone, says that ““...the performers, including Hough himself as one of the pianists, do [the songs] proud…soprano Anna Leese, bright and vibrant of tone…Jennifer Johnston offers a delightful comic cameo as the feisty maid…The Liebeslieder are enjoyable, with a splendid bite in the more vigorous numbers”.

Andrew Clements of The Guardian praises “such fresh-toned performances”, which Fiona Maddock of The Observer describes as “original and beguiling” and “first rate”.

Hilary Finch of BBC Music Magazine says that The Prince Consort perform “finely judged, delightfully youthful performances” and that the new song cycle is an “outstanding achievement”.

Adrian Horsewood on musicOMH.com says that the disc “is as close to an ideal performance of the two Brahms sets as [he] can imagine” and that “Other Love Songs is a thrilling addition to its genre [which he] heartily recommends”.

Andrew Stewar of Classic FM Magazine, in his 5-stars review praises “Hogarth and his mightily talented vocal ensemble, [who] shape imaginative readings of each song in turn”. The Prince Consort are “exquisite examples of outstanding ensemble artistry”, who give “top-drawer performances ”.

Piers Burton-Page of International Record Reviews says that The Prince Consort are “throughout crisp, fresh, speedy, intelligent, well recorded, with good German” and that the disc is “recommendable”.

Graham Rickson on theartsdesk.com recommends listening to this recording of “faultless singing” to “experience goosebumps of delight”.

For more information and to download any of the tracks, please visit the LINN records website.