News
Ward CD reviewed in Fanfare Magazine
11/12/2009
'Phantasm has been warmly received in these pages repeatedly in the past. Brian Robins noted of their release of consort material by Byrd and Iwico (Fanfare 21:5), “Whereas Fretwork adopted a considered poised interpretative style, Phantasm is considerably more expressive and excitable, bowing more deeply into the strings…” I think this expresses well a salient attribute of Phantasm’s recorded performances. The combination of the consort’s attention to rhythmic detail and textural breadth (that bowing!) gives Ward’s fantasias an animation that only enhances their attractiveness, without palliating their grave line. It’s fortunate that the quality of these performances are outstanding, as there’s no direct competition currently to this release that aims at presenting all the composer’s consort music for five and six viols. The Rose Consort offers a selection on cpo 999 928, along with several of Ward’s “ayres” for two bass viols and organ, but I admit to finding their sound rather wiry if spirited, and not easily enjoyable as a longterm listening experience. Chalk up another success for Phantasm, then. They do a real service for Ward’s consort music on this album, and it’s well worth the price.' Barry Brenesal
Phantasm to feature on BBC Radio 3 at 5pm on Sunday 22 November
15/11/2009
Laurence Dreyfus and Phantasm to appear on BBC Radio 3's 'Discovering Music' - As part of the 2009 Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music, Catherine Bott and Laurence Dreyfus offer an insider's view to the Golden Age of English viol music. Phantasm play examples from music by Robert Parsons, William Byrd, Orland Gibbons, John Jenkins and William Lawes, showing how they all influenced the Fantasies and In Nomines of Henry Purcell. Includes complete performances given by Phantasm at the festival.
Click here for more information
First collaboration between Phantasm and Magdalen Chapel Choir
11/10/2009
At 5:30pm on Saturday 14 November 2009, Phantasm will give a short recital of Locke a4 in Magdalen Chapel, and at 6pm will play for Evensong with Magdalen Chapel Choir, Daniel Hyde, Informator Choristarum.
Ward CD reviewed on BBC Radio 3
11/10/2009
From CD Review with Andrew MacGregor, broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 19 September 2009: 'Laurence Dreyfus's viol consort Phantasm has just released the first complete recording of Ward's consort music for five and six viols, and he calls them 'magisterial; works which seduce the ear into a dream of lyrical temptation and wistful longing'. Well they do when they're played as well as this. Two six-part fantasias by John Ward, in performances from phantasm that capture everything Laurence Dreyfus promises in his notes. And, presented like this, with all of Ward's five- and six-part fantasias together so that we can immerse ourselves in their gently sophisticated charms, we can really begin to appreciate the quality of the craftsmanship, and the subtle intensity of the writing. Playing of real eloquence as well, and a recording that frames it to perfection.'
John Ward CD Launch
06/08/2009
Phantasm will launch their new CD of the complete five- and six-part works of the Jacobean composer John Ward for Linn Records after their final concert at the Utrecht Early Music Festival on 30th August. This is wonderful music by a master of the viol consort idiom! All are welcome to attend the event, with a chance to talk to the artists over a glass of wine.
For more details see the Linn Records website
Photo from Linn Records Session
15/04/2009
A photo of Phantasm (with Emilia Benjamin and Mikko Perkola) from the last day of John Ward sessions - 18 March 2009
In the 'studio'
18/03/2009
Phantasm has been in the Chapel of Wadham College Oxford recording the complete five- and six-part works of the Jacobean composer John Ward for LINN records - http://www.linnrecords.com/ - to be issued in August 2009. This is wonderful music by a master of the viol consort idiom!
Phantasm featured on BBC Radio 3
28/02/2009
The history of Phantasm and its recordings was featured on the Early Music Show - BBC Radio 3 - aired on Saturday 28 March at 13.00 GMT. The hour-long interview - by Lucie Skeaping with Laurence Dreyfus - treats the founding of the group, its membership, and its developing artistic 'personality' over the years and includes numerous tracks from Phantasm albums issued since 1996
Jenkins a5 CD reviewed in Early Music (May 2008)
28/05/2008
Virtuosity abounds as much in the technical demands upon the players as in the musical.... Phantasm plays with excellent line, beautiful balance between the five parts, impeccable ensemble and great verve. The result is a performance of very high quality and delight.
-- Lucy Robinson
Five-Part Jenkins released
07/04/2008
A finalist for the Gramophone Early Music Award and also for the MIDEM Early Music Prize, Five-Part Jenkins has accumulated a spate of ecstatic reviews, with the London Times praising Phantasm's 'sensuousness' and the Telegraph opining that Phantasm's 'purposeful and sensitive performances leave no room for doubt that Jenkins is one of this country's greatest 17th-century composers'.
Six-Part Jenkins released
07/04/2008
The appeal of English consort music sometimes surprises even the cognoscenti, such as when this Jenkins disc was named by the Daily Mail as one of the top classical albums of 2006.
The early music trade press has been equally kind, with Goldberg calling Six-Part Jenkins 'a magnificent recording'.
Four Temperaments critically acclaimed
07/04/2008
Phantasm's latest recording, Four Temperaments, continues to receive wonderful reviews. The recording was 'Editor's Choice' in this month's Gramophone magazine, where it was described as 'a splendid follow up to last year's Gramophone Award-winning Gibbons collection'
To read this review and others click here
Phantasm works on Jenkins a6 recording
07/04/2008
Phantasm, joined by guests Emilia Benjamin and Mikko Perkola spent four days rehearsing the complete six part works of John Jenkins for their recording.
The rehearsal period took place in the fabulous surroundings of Snape Maltings, as part of a residency programme made possible by Aldeburgh Productions.
Phantasm feature as Fanfare Cover Story
07/04/2008
Fanfare, the American magazine for 'serious record collectors' has chosen Phantasm's Four Temperaments CD as the subject of this month's cover story.
The article describes Phantasm as being "firmly established as the most excitingly innovative viol consort playing today" with "high-voltage, passionately lyrical performances".
New Phantasm Recording - Release Date Set
07/04/2008
The next Phantasm CD, entitled Four Temperaments, featuring the music of Robert Parsons, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Alfonso Ferrabosco I, was released on February 23rd on the AVIE label.
Laurence Dreyfus explains the concept behind the disc:"Four Temperaments paints four portraits of Elizabethan composers of consort music based on their predominant personality traits, called the humours or temperaments. Robert Parsons signals the angry choleric, Alfonso Ferrabosco I the wistful phlegmatic, Thomas Tallis the optimistic sanguinic, and William Byrd the profound melancholic.
"Just as painting, poetry and drama invoked the four temperaments to typify diverse characters, so the rich musical world of 16th-century England comes alive when filtered through this contemporary lens."
Full details on the CD available by clicking here
Phantasm Wins Gramophone Award
07/04/2008
Phantasm's recording of Orlando Gibbons has been chosen as Best in 'Early Music' category and as one of six records nominated for the title 'Record of the Year'.
The recording on the AVIE label is a second Gramophone award for Phantasm since their debut recording of Purcell Fantasias in 1997.
This year, six celebrities have been chosen to promote the nominated discs in the national press, radio and television, and Phantasm will be championed by the BBC's world affairs editor, John Simpson.
Mr Simpson, presenting the award to Laurence Dreyfus at the awards ceremony described the disc as being "exquisitely scaled" and "like angels singing".
