Toccata Classics
Toccata Classics is an independent British record label dedicated to producing recordings of neglected repertoire, particularly from the UK, Nordic and Baltic countries, central and eastern Europe, Russia, and further afield. The label, which strives to be interactive, and is interested to hear about repertoire that its customers would like recorded, was founded in 2005 by Martin Anderson as the sister company to Toccata Press. Further information at www.toccataclassics.com
A selection of articles about Toccata Classics
Spotlight. Precious, Luminous Gems - Esdras Mugatik listens to music for accordion by British composer Ronald Stevenson (1928-2015). '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'
CD Spotlight. Rethinking First Impressions - John Dante Prevedini listens to piano music by Mexican composer José F Vásquez. '... we are urged by releases like this to rethink our approach to composers like Vásquez ...'
Profile. Ronald Stevenson - A little memory, a little overview and a little comment
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Selling like hot cakes ... maybe, hopefully
CD Spotlight. A Series of Polished Gems - Roderic Dunnett listens to chamber, instrumental music and songs by Gerard Schurmann. 'This is one of the most enchanting, fragile, flawless song cycles I have ever heard, anywhere.'
CD Spotlight. An Unmissable Issue - Gerald Fenech explores the music of Marc'Antonio Ingegneri. 'The repetition of phrases in the musical exchange between the two choirs becomes almost hypnotic for the listener, and one feels totally engrossed in the Eucharistic mystery.'
CD Spotlight. Wholly Distinctive - Olga Solovieva plays Herman Galynin, highly recommended by the late Howard Smith. 'How judiciously this pianist measures the weight and mood of each item within her entire programme.'
CD Spotlight. The English Beethoven - Piano music by Harold Truscott, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... it is truly remarkable that he became a practicing musician let alone a composer of some of the most dramatic English piano music of the last century.'
CD Spotlight. An Adventurous Release - Piano music by William Hurlstone, commended by Gerald Fenech. 'Kenji Fujimura extracts every ounce of fantasy and imagination from this wistful yet intriguing repertoire, and his sensitivity and lightheartedness make the music yield all its youthful zest and fresh-faced poetry.'
CD Spotlight. Very Satisfying - Chamber music by Gerard Schurmann impresses Geoff Pearce. 'This fine performance is taut, accurate and driven.'
CD Spotlight. A Unique Cycle - Piano music by Nikolai Peyko, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are highly virtuosic and wholly committed, and both pianists know exactly how to convey the overriding shape with discernment and piquancy.'
CD Spotlight. Vivid Elegance - Piano music by Guy Ropartz, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Stephanie McCallum simply floats her way through this music with subtlety and panache that fit Ropartz's harmonic language to perfection ...'
CD Spotlight. Highly Significant - Piano music by Leonid Sabaneyev impresses Gerald Fenech. '... a triumph for Jonathan Powell ... compelling dedication and zest ...'
CD Spotlight. Surprisingly Dramatic - Organ music by Rudolf Tobias, heard by Roderic Dunnett. 'Ines Maidre is a performer of attractive virtuosity and sound judgment.'
CD Spotlight. A Noble Simplicity - Piano music by Ronald Stevenson, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Christopher Guild delivers impressively clear and assured performances ...'
CD Spotlight. Highly Rewarding - Piano music by Charles O'Brien, heard by Roderic Dunnett. '... played with great charm and feeling by Warren Mailley-Smith.'
CD Spotlight. Austere and Brooding - Weinberg orchestral music, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... deserving of serious consideration.'
CD Spotlight. Under Development - Fauré songs for bass, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'Roy Howat's accompaniments are crystal-clear always ...'
CD Spotlight. Inner Solace - Choral music by Ferenc Farkas, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... performances have a solemn dignity ...'
CD Spotlight. A Boy Prodigy - Piano music by Niklas Sivelöv, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... marvelous technique and improvisational skills.'
CD Spotlight. Exhilarating Stuff - Piano music by Edward Loder, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Ian Hobson is a brilliant advocate of this sadly neglected repertoire ...'
CD Spotlight. Highly Enjoyable - Jazz piano etudes by Milan Dvorák, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Milan Franek gives wonderfully lighthearted interpretations ...'
CD Spotlight. Feisty and Wiry - Music by Fernando Lopes-Graça, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are wholly committed ...'
CD Spotlight. Chilling Power - Gregory Rose's 'Danse Macabre', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... intense realism.'
CD Spotlight. Inspirational and Reflective - Sacred music by Georgy Sviridov, praised by Geoff Pearce. '... beautiful, pure and never forced or showy.'
CD Spotlight. Master Tailor - String music by Nigel Clarke, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... post-modern music through and through ...'
CD Spotlight. Delightfully Melodic - Music by Matvey Nikolaevsky, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... immensely enjoyable stuff ...'
CD Spotlight. Evocative Stuff - Vocal and choral music by Jaime León, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are unerringly fresh and balanced ...'
CD Spotlight. Sympathetic and Inventive - Music by Ferenc Farkas for oboe and strings, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'The Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra performs with obvious care and commitment ...'
CD Spotlight. Virtuosic Gifts - Music by Mykola Lysenko, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... superb craftsmanship ...'
CD Spotlight. Transparent Sincerity - Music by Leif Solberg, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Unbridled and vibrantly committed performances ...'
CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - Piano music by Alexandre Tansman, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... excellent performances ...'
CD Spotlight. Easy to Grasp - Piano music by Carl Loewe fascinates Gerald Fenech. 'In Linda Nicholson, Loewe has a wonderfully refreshing advocate.'
CD Spotlight. Highly Appealing - Chamber music by Robert Kahn impresses Gerald Fenech. '... zealous advocates of Kahn's cause ...'
CD Spotlight. Virtuosic in Style - Piano music by Adolf Jensen, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... romantic, strongly melodic and individualistic, but never recorded before ...'
CD Spotlight. Not for the Squeamish - Symphonies by Andrei Golovin, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Sound and presentation are top notch.'
CD Spotlight. Clearly Inescapable - Gerard Schurmann's chamber music impresses Howard Smith. '... potent, consuming, thematically cogent and burning with zeal.'
CD Spotlight. Personal Choice - C P E Bach's Spiritual Songs, heard by Robert Anderson. '... the clavichord, wonderfully sensitive as it is, cannot stand up to a concert singer ...'
Ensemble. Cogent Achievements - Peter Maxwell Davies' tenth symphony and other British music, heard by Roderic Dunnett
CD Spotlight. Avowedly Definitive - John McCabe plays his own 'Tenebrae', heard by Howard Smith. '... imbued with anger and monumental in both structure and outlook ...'
CD Spotlight. Doubly Welcome - Music for violin and piano by Gerard Schurmann, recommended by Howard Smith. 'Excellent from start to finish.'
CD Spotlight. Airy Pleasantries - Telemann cantatas, heard by Robert Anderson. '... delicious music-making from the whole team ...'
CD Spotlight. Impressive Music - Songs by Havergal Brian, heard by Patric Standford. '... equal to the intimacy of the skilfully fashioned miniature.'
CD Spotlight. Extremely Beautiful - Arrangements of Dvorák songs recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'The intense rapport between both artists can immediately be felt ...'
CD Spotlight. Thoughtful and Elegiac - String quartets by David Matthews, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'The performances do full justice to the music.'
CD Spotlight. Ingeniously Crafted - Orchestral music by Donald Tovey, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... the Malmö Opera Orchestra plays handsomely for George Vass.'
CD Spotlight. Clear Tonal Focus - Music for cello and piano by Krzysztof Meyer, recommended by Patric Standford. '... fine playing ...'
CD Spotlight. A Vigorous Spirit - Music by Matthew Taylor, heard by Patric Standford. '... skill and personality in equal measures ...'
CD Spotlight. A Worthy Introduction - Song cycles and chamber music by Gareth Walters, heard by Patric Standford. '... deserves a firm place in the CD library.'
CD Spotlight. Strength and Lyricism - Chamber music by Hugh Wood, heard by Patric Standford. '... taut stamina.'
CD Spotlight. Playing Rameau - Interpretations by Stephen Gutman, recommended by George Balcombe. '... not a million miles away from jazz.'
CD Spotlight. Grandest Lines - Donald Tovey's cello concerto, heard by Robert Anderson. '... satisfyingly masterful.'
CD Spotlight. Great Abilities - Piano trios by Donald Tovey, heard by Robert Anderson. '... diatonic convictions ...'
CD Spotlight. Very Powerful - Orchestral music by Vytautas Bacevicius, reviewed by Gordon Rumson. 'He had much to say and said it very well.'
CD Spotlight. Extrovert Optimism - Piano music by Benjamin Lees, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a pleasant surprise ...'
CD Spotlight. A Thrilling Experience - Kevin Bowyer plays Alkan, reviewed by Alistair Hinton. '... flawless technique and missionary commitment ...'
CD Spotlight. Great Panache - The complete wind quintets of Ferenc Farkas, appreciated by Paul Sarcich. '... the whole set simply reeks charm.'
Four Strings to his Violin - Many strings to his bow ... Howard Smith reports on Marat Bisengaliev's third tour of New Zealand