Composed in 2020, Miniature is a compilation of 27 short musical pieces for solo harp. Each is a fragment which tells a personal story inspired by an emotion, reflection, childhood memory or emblematic place for Francesca - from her past in Italy or her present in the Basque Country. The music evokes both images and emotions related to the places they represent. These impressions and emotions are invoked through the use of rhythm, by which the individual nature of each piece reveals itself. Minature is thematically held together as a set by the concept of the flow and passage of time. The listener is invited to let themselves be carried away by the evocative sonorities of the harp, which provide an experience in which everything is constantly changing, involving all the senses: a sound and visual journey in which we can perceive nature and its strength - whether it is paid homage to, unveiled, or simply described - under different perspectives through which emotion is channelled, transferred and transformed into new energy. The Poetic Reflections are written by Juan Kruz Igerabide Sarasola, inspired by the music.

"“Composers have been setting the Requiem texts to music since the late Middle Ages, and it was to these early settings that I was drawn when writing my own offering: with simple, flowing melodic threads combined to create a richer fabric. My thanks to Rupert Gough and the vibrant young voices of the Choir of Royal Holloway for taking those threads and weaving them into such dazzling tapestries of harmony - adorned with the warmth of Southern Sinfonia’s gorgeous strings, and the lyrical song of Maxim Calver’s soaring cello.” Matthew Coleridge"

Explore this debut album by Lisa Archontidi-Tsaldaraki & Panayotis Archontides, which brings together both well and lesser-known repertoire for violin and piano from the first half of the 20th Century.

Explore this premiere recording of Philip Moore’s Via Crucis, performed at Guildford Cathedral by organist Richard Moore, with Revd Dr Barry Orford.

Explore this new album of choral works by British composer, George Arthur, performed by The Choir of Royal Holloway. George is a multi award-winning composer, published by Universal Editions, Music Sales, Shorter House and the Guild of Church Musicians. He has been commissioned by various cathedrals and chapel choirs at home and overseas and his music is regularly performed around the world. He has had works broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and on BBC television, most notably for the WW1 Commonwealth commemoration service, live from Glasgow Cathedral.

“This is music of confident, muscular vitality which breathes new life into the Requiem Mass. There are moments of great intimacy and solace to be found amongst the drama of this setting and the unequivocal final impression is one of true celebration and thanksgiving. Rapture and beauty are qualities common to the other fine works presented here - coupled with a truly individual approach to even the most familiar texts” (George Richford).

"This is a collection of beguiling works for flute, clarinet and harp trio which revolve around the emotional heart of Elizabeth Poston’s music. In her music, modernity is seamlessly interwoven with a sense of antiquity; of simpler more innocent times and avoids the trappings of being kitsch, naive or ever sentimental. Complimentary works by other composers exhibit rhythmic incisiveness, playfulness and lyricism- all seemingly bathed in a sepia-toned nostalgia. Here is an indomitable partnership of fabulous music and wonderful playing”. (George Richford)

“Elena Pavlea’s style has instant impact and possesses an unmistakable Hellenic character that both sings and dances concurrently. She blends the ‘epic’ with the ‘intimate’ in a seamless thread and the programmatic titles to her works evoke a clear connection with Greek antiquity.” (George Richford, Producer) Elena Pavlea’s music has been characterized by music critics to belong to the Neo-romantic and Minimalistic styles of the 21st century music genres. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, she became aware of the world of classical music…while listening for the first time a piano trio performing in the lobby of a hotel. ‘’I clearly remember that moment since for the first time in my life; I felt the intensity of musical expression’’ she says. She never abandoned learning music throughout her childhood and adolescent years, and early in life she decided to study music in a professional level. Academically she received her Piano Soloist Diploma, Bachelor of Arts and her Postgraduate Diploma in Piano Performance from Greek and English Universities and during her stay in London and Athens-Greece, she always worked as a Pianist, Composer and Piano Teacher. She participated in master-classes of Professors of the Guildhall school of Music and Drama and of the Royal Academy of Music. She also studied Philosophy and Music Aesthetics.

For Piano is a collection of pieces composed in a broadly classical style. It explores the variety of col-our, sound and tone achievable from one of the most versatile of all instruments, and is designed to be accessible to a wide range of players and listeners.'- Hugh Benham

The present release features a compelling new oratorio by American composer, Carson Cooman, with libretto by Euan Tait. “Our world and our lives are transformational and in constant transformation, and this work is the music of those transformations. The earth we live on does not stay still but evolves and changes; our lives are changed through our own personal struggles, through meetings with those whose difference from us becomes a teacher, with sudden catalytic events, and from the daily, determined creativity of love working and spreading outwards from our humanity” (Carson Cooman).

A new recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Goldberg Variations', performed by world-renowned musician, Malcom Archer on a harpsichord built by Alan Gotto.

Lesser-known gems of American choral music. Performed by Willow Consort, conducted by Danny Purtell. In recent years the choral music of America has become increasingly popular. ‘The Road Home’ presents a small survey of some of the lesser-known gems of the repertoire.

Explore this new album of sacred choral works for amateur and professional choirs by British composer, Hugh Benham, performed by the award-winning Convivium Singers with organist Malcolm Archer, directed by Alexander Norman.