WHAT’S ON

Northern Sinfonia principal players, The Sage Gateshead, 8pm, tonight. Quintets from Brahms, Nielsen and Dvorak. Box office: 0191-443 4661.

REVIEWS

Silvestrov, Sacred Works (ECM New Series 476 3316)

The Ukranian composer Valentin Silvestrov’s creates marvellous effects of melody and rhythm in this album of a cappella music sung by the Kiev Chamber Orchestra.

Drawing inspiration from Russian liturgical chants, the release includes miniature settings of hymns, psalms and chants.

Othmar Schoeck: Notturno (ECM 476 6995)

German baritone Christian Gerhaher takes up songs of Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck, completed in 1933. Composed at a dark moment in history, the work based on poems by Nikolaus Lenau reflects a deep crisis in the life of a composer.

Gerhaher’s rich voice conveys the essence of the work and is superbly backed by Rosamunde Quartet. Thought-provoking and highly recommended.

Turbulent Heart: Steve Davislim (Melba MR 301123)

Australia’s leading tenor Steve Davislim performs a programme of rarely heard works by Chausson and Vierne. Davislim has a voice of penetrating beauty which is perfectly balanced by the Queensland Orchestra. Highly recommended.