...olśniewające, wirtuozowskie pasaże i kadencje...

‘Halls reveals...needle-sharp precision, stylistic awareness and suitably restrained flamboyance.’ The Scotsman ‘[Halls displays] a natural grace and refinement, and a lightness of touch and delicacy of ornamentation.’ IRR ‘The Retrospect Ensemble's orchestral playing is of the highest quality...’ Gramophone • Having wowed the critics with its 2011 recording of ‘J.S. Bach: Easter and Ascension Oratorios’ Retrospect Ensemble returns with Bach’s Harpsichord Concertos. • Director Matthew Halls takes on the role of soloist, having proved both his keyboard virtuosity and affinity with Bach’s harpsichord music in his debut solo recording, ‘J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations’, which IRR named ‘Outstanding’. • Bach’s harpsichord concertos are full of dazzling virtuosic passages and incredible solo cadenzas; they showcase his natural flair for contrapuntal and chromatic colour and feature re-worked old favourites. • In 2010 the 36-year-old was announced as The Oregon Bach Festival’s next artistic director, due to his ‘international reputation in the worlds of choral and early music [and] consummate skill as a Bach interpreter.’ He shall assume the role in 2013. • Founded by Matthew Halls, Retrospect Ensemble takes its musicians and audiences on an exciting journey, exploring the repertoire of four centuries and embracing the practices, styles and aesthetics of former ages with renewed vigour and a fresh approach. • Retrospect has performed at concerts across Europe and the Far East and has established an exciting partnership with the Korean National Opera. • Matthew Halls has established himself as one of today’s leading young conductors. A former Artistic Director of The King’s Consort, he has conducted in prominent venues including the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam; the Cité de la Musique, Paris; and the Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels. All music
'AllMusic’s Favorite Classical Instrumental Albums of 2012'


International Record Review
'...a must-have music disc for all music lovers.'
more >>

Pizzicato
Review in French.
more >>

The Irish Times

'...stylish but also sensitively recorded'
more >>

The Sunday Times
'The concertos sound pristine and revealed anew, like cleaned Old Master paintings.'
more >>

BBC Online
'...sheer ear-popping brilliance...'
more >>

Music Web International
Recording of the Month: '...anything that Matthew Halls and the Retrospect Ensemble touch seems to turn to gold.'
more >>

Pizzicato
Review in French
more >>

Audiophile Audition
'...vigor and fresh approaches'
more >>

BBC Music Magazine

Disc of the Month: '... vibrant energy'
more >>

Codaex
Features in: 'Codaex interesting releases in October 2012'
more >> The SACD layer is both 5.1 channel and 2-channel. The Studio Master files are 192kHz / 24 bit.