sonnerie : discography

Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concertos

BWV 1041, 1042, 1052 & 1056 Monica Huggett, Sonnerie (Emilia Benjamin, Claudia Coombs, Hannah Tibell vns, Louise Hogan va, Joseph Crouch vc, Christine Sticher db, Hatthew Halls hpd)

Gaudeamus GAU356

“No matter how many versions of the Bach violin concertos you already own, this one is a must.”

International Record Review

Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas

BWV 84, 202 & 209 Sonnerie with Nancy Argenta (soprano)

Re-released as
Virgin Veritas 5616442

“This is a captivating performance...Recommended.”

Gramophone

Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas

BWV 82a, 199, 51 Sonnerie with Nancy Argenta (soprano)

Re-released as
Virgin Veritas 5616442

“Nancy Argenta is in excellent voice, and fully attuned to the nuances of Bach's elaborate vocal lines...the third cantata on the disc which features the admirable Sonnerie under Monica Huggett, is the popular Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen (BWV 51)...joined here by the irreproachable Crispian Steele-Perkins whose is always careful to complement, rather than compete with, the vocalist.”

The Times, August 1994

Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Continuo

and works by Schmelzer, Schenk, Böhm, and Erlebach

ASV GAU 107
ASV

“Lyricism and relaxation are not lacking in Monica Huggett's playing in the Bach sonatas...”

Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonatas and Partitas

for solo violin Monica Huggett

Virgin 5452052

Gramophone magazine Editors Choice December 1997

Johann Sebastian Bach: Musical Offering, BWV 1079

Virgin CD 45139

“This must be the most purely enjoyable Musical Offering for a long time.”

Gramophone magazine Critic's Choice 1996

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber: Violin Sonatas, Nisi Dominus, Passacaglia

Sonnerie with Thomas Guthrie (bass baritone)

CD GAU 203
ASV

Gramophone Award Winner 2002 (Baroque Instrumental)
***** BBC Music Magazine, October 2001
“9” rating in Repertoire Magazine (France)
BBC Music Magazine Critics' Choice - December 2001

“This is a disc that merits the attention of anybody who appreciates the highest flights of violin playing, from whatever period.”

The Telegraph, August 2001.

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber: Mystery Sonatas (vol. 1)

CD GAU 350
ASV

“With the tonal sweetness of Huggett’s three violins resonating pleasingly through the many double- and multiple-stoppings and her bowing demonstrating a delicious lightness and freedom, she admirably displays her eloquent command of Biber’s sublime and richly symbolic language. Huggett’s [approach] is ravishing in its sonorities, her supporting cast adding significantly to the exotic sounds of the various scordaturas and the overall effect of her intelligent, stylish and expressive playing.”

The Strad Magazine, November 2004

“Monica Huggett is very alive to the essential virtuosity of Biber’s adventurous violin writing... Sonnerie provides music-making which is so unashamedly dazzling, vivid and exuberant...glorious performances.”

International Record Review, Oct 2004

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber: Mystery Sonatas (vol. 2)

CD GAU 351
ASV

“Huggett's playing - on three violins - shines with ease and expression”

The Times

“Huggett’s imaginative approach and lively response to detail are among the most rewarding aspects of her version of these emotionally rewarding pieces.”

**** BBC Music Magazine, December 2004

“Of all the recordings now available of Biber...this [is] by far and away the most spectacular, exuberant, colourful and downright ravishing of them all. Huggett positively revels in the virtuosity of Biber’s original...Huggett’s beautifully crafted performance of the complex and, at times, profoundly moving solo Passacaglia rounds off what is a matchless recording from every perspective.”

International Record Review, Nov 2004

Dietrich Buxtehude: Trio Sonatas opp.1 & 2

ASV GAU CD110
ASV

“This attractive program was recorded to celebrate Buxtehude's 350th birthday. Though unfamiliar to most modern listeners, Buxtehude's trio sonatas are landmarks in chamber music.”

Arcangelo Corelli: Violin Sonatas Op.5

Virgin Veritas 5622362

“[Monica Huggett] brings a sweetness of tone and a perfection of technical control that cannot but inspire admiration on their own count, but in combination with such unerring musical insight as is to be found here makes these into quite masterly interpretations.”

Gramophone, Sept. 1990

A Portait of Love: Clerambault, Monteclair, Marais & Couperin.

Sonnerie with Nancy Argenta, soprano

2001 Harmonia Mundi 957081
Harmonia Mundi

François Couperin: Concerts Royaux Nos.1-4

CD GAU 101
ASV

Penguin Guide ***

“Enjoyable, spirited playing”

BBC Radio 3 Record Review

Fontana, Cima & Turini: Violin Sonatas

1996 Double CD

Handel: Trio Sonatas Op. 2

Sonnerie with Wilbert Hazelzet

AV 0033
Avie

***** “A winner”

Classic FM Magazine, Jan 2004

***** “A thoroughly delightful disc.”

BBC Music Magazine, Feb 2004

“Sonnerie's violins dance nimbly or swoon deliciously in Handel's rich, graceful melodies. Their attractive tone is both astringent and sweet, luminous and full of shadows ... their recorded sound is also impressively lucid ... this disc far outshines the competition”

International Record Review, Mar 2004

Handel: The Six Organ Concertos Op. 4

Matthew Halls - organ

AV 2055
Avie

“Matthew Halls and Sonnerie give intimately scaled performances ... clarity of texture and delicacy of interplay ... a delight.”

Daily Telegraph, May 2005

“...cleanly articulated playing, by turns energetic and soulful, which Halls enlivens further through luminous registrations and dynamic ornamentation...very successful.”

International Record Review, June 2005

William Lawes: The Royall Consorts

ASV GAU CD270
ASV

Gramophone Critics' Choice

“This is an accomplished performance of marvellous music”

Early Music Review

“...tonal sweetness and exemplary musicianship. Highly recommended”

Jean-Marie Leclair: Violin Sonatas

ASV GAU CD106
ASV

Gramophone Award Nomination

“Leclair's violin has never been so well represented”

Diapason

A Gift of Nature

Chamber Music of the 17th Century Sonnerie with Stephen Stubbs & Andrew Lawrence-King

Teldec 4509-90841

“...despatched with effortless ease by Monica Huggett, whose smoothly elegant playing is both untroubled by the music's technical demands and happily enhanced by the gentle and spacious acoustic of The Maltings, Snape.”

Gramophone, May 1994

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Three Piano Quartets

K478, K493 & K452

CD GAU 212
ASV

“An outstanding recording from Sonnerie”

Gramophone

“..full of character...well conceived and rehearsed...Highly recommended”

Early Music Review

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Flute Quartets

KV 285, KV 285a, KV 285b, KV298 Sonnerie with Claire Guimond (baroque flute)

Early Music EMCCD 7754
Early Music

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Pièces de clavecin en concerts 1741

Re-released as
Virgin Veritas x2 5618722

“[These pieces] have been recorded several times in recent years, but never with the unrivalled warmth and maturity of interpretation that Sonnerie bring to this reading.”

Gramophone, Sept. 1989

Johan Helmich Roman: Trio Sonatas