Mozart: Flute Concertos; Flute Sonatas
Judith Hall (flute)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Peter Thomas
with Susan Alexander-Max (pianoforte)
Concerto no.2 in D, K314; no.1 in G, K313
Sonata no.5 in C, K14; no.6 in B flat, K15; no.4 in F, K13
"We have long recommended Judith Hall's 1987 recordings of the Flute Concertos (originally on the Pickwick label). She produces a radiantly full timbre; moreover she is a first-class Mozartian, as she demonstrates in her cadenzas as well as in the line of the slow movements, phrased with a simple eloquence that is disarming. There is plenty of vitality in the allegros and Peter Thomas provides polished, infectious accompaniments to match the solo playing. The balance is most realistic and the sound overall is excellent, if perhaps not now quite in the demonstration bracket. For the Regis reissue, three of the Flute Sonatas have been added. Composed in 1764 when the Mozart family were staying in London, they are slight works, written when the very young composer was under the influence of Johann Christian Bach. Once again Judith Hall's instrumental personality dominates the music-making, and she is appropriately accompanied by Susan Alexander-Max on an Erard pianoforte (cc.1846)."
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs 2005 ***
"I have seldom enjoyed (these concertos) so much...truly "magic flute"...an almost improvisatory ease...full of light"
© Gramophone 1988
"Judith Hall is excellent. She plays with a musicality and rich tone....Hall brings an appealing "lightness of being"...An enjoyable CD.."
International Record Review
"There is no shortage of recordings of these concertos, but in these performances Judith Hall brings a delightful joyful freshness to them. The Allegros are brisk and happy and the slow movements are tender and delicate, with no danger of the performer's ego getting in the way of the music. Moreover, all the cadenzas are stylish and feel just right. I think they are the best that I have heard."
PAN The Journal of the British Flute Society 2004
Vivaldi: Flute Concertos
Judith Hall (flute)
Divertimenti of London, Paul Barritt
Concerto no.1 in F, RV433 "La tempesta di mare"
Concerto no.2 in G minor, RV439 "La notte"
Concerto no.3 in D, RV428 "Il Gardellino"
Concerto no.4 in G, RV435
Concerto no.5 in F, RV434
Concerto no.6 in G, RV437
"freshly and brightly recorded, and (Judith Hall) plays with considerable virtuosity and a great deal of taste....plenty of sensitivity and atmosphere about the performances ... The Divertimenti of London is a modern instrument group and players are both sensitive and alert"
© Penguin Guide ***
"this disc has instantly become one of my favourite Vivaldi CDs. the choices of tempi are just right..fresh and bright and clean in sound and balance...also applies to the vitality and 'authenticity' of the approach"
Music Web International
"..unassuming virtuosity..It is this integrity with a natural musicianship that makes her playing such a delight" "an engagingly light-hearted, light-footed and sensitive approach to the music ..lovingly played ... the recorded sound is first rate"
© Gramophone
Images and Impressions
Judith Hall (flute) and Elinor Bennett (harp)
Alwyn: Naiades
Debussy: Le Petit Berger (transcription: J. Durand)
Debussy: Arabesque (transcription: H. Renié)
Persichetti: Serenade No. 10
Nielsen: The Fog is Lifting
Debussy: Syrinx
Anthony Payne: A 1940's Childhood
Tournier: Vers la source dans le bois
Jolivet: Alla Rustica
"There is no more intoxicatingly sensual an instrumental combination than flute and harp, as this enchanting recital from Judith Hall and Elinor Bennett amply demonstrates. Opening with a spellbinding performance of Alwyn's Naiades, perfectly complemented by Nimbus' atmospheric recording and the pair of exquisite Debussy transcriptions which follow, I was able to put my Beckmesser slate safely to one side and listen captivated by the rest of the programme......Hall's sensitive and memorably-phrased readings......this is clearly a most desirable collection. Highly recommended. "
CD Review ***
"Judith Hall and Elinor Bennett play beautifully. Hall has a big, rich tone: her 'Syrinx' is a joy"
Fanfare (USA)
"..we can see that the Hall-Bennett recording has more than one string to its..-.harp to attract the enthusiast, and to fill him or her with pleasure - and of the best kind!"
Repertoire (France)
"I was really able to enjoy this CD. Hall and Bennett have at their disposal a wide arsenal of technical and interpretative possibilities. In comparison with many other duos, mostly lady duos, even the programme they offer is quite original. Moreover we don't just hear transcriptions but also a couple of pieces especially written for this combination. The ladies quite nicely circumvent any association with comparable sugary CDs through their no-nonsense musical approach"
Luister (Holland)
Mozart: Flute Quartets
Judith Hall (flute)
Paul Barritt (violin), Josephine Horder (cello), Gustav Clarkson (viola)
Flute Quartet no.1 in D, K288
Flute Quartet no.2 in G, K285a
Flute Quartet no.3 in C, K285b
Flute Quartet no.4 in A, K298
"Building a Library" Top Choice (BBC Radio 3)
During 1989, fifth place in list of Best-selling Classical CDs in Britain
"Players on this disc ...a very capable group. Ensemble is impeccable, intonation secure ...pleasantly graceful touches...New disc is well done and in superior recorded sound"
© Gramophone
"fine playing that is intelligent, sensitive and invariably placed at the service of these (quartets)..The performance on this record cannot be faulted"
Music and Musicians"
"..distinguished performances ...grace and lightness is well caught"
Hi-Fi News and Record Review
Early One Morning
French Music for flute & harp
Judith Hall (flute)
Hugh Webb (harp)
Ibert: Entr'acte
Saint-Saëns: Romance op.37
Françaix: Cinque Piccoli Duetti
Jongen: Danse Lente
Ravel: Pièce en forme de Habañera
Fauré: Berceuse
Honegger: Romance
Debussy: La plus que lente; Clair de Lune, La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin, Arabesque No. 1
Satie arr. Takemitsu: Les Fils des Etoiles
Roussel: Aria
Damase: Variations on Early one Morning
Judith Hall and her highly accomplished and sensitive partner provide fresh and lively interpretations of this eclectic choice of repertoire. Hall has a wonderfully varied tone that is consistently beautiful across the flute's range. There is something extremely relaxing about the effortless way in which she plays. I have certainly never heard such mellifluous playing as in the tracks of pieces by Jongen, Debussy and Damase.
It is also pleasing to hear the music with harp instead of the traditional piano, as it is much more suited to the temperament of this music.
Few could fail to be inspired by this dynamic duo's rendering of this French repertoire. The opening and concluding tracks leave no doubt as to why Judith Hall has enjoyed such a glittering career or to why Jean-Pierre Rampal plucked her out and suggested she pursue a musical career."
PAN The Journal of the British Flute Society
"Whether late-Romantic, Impressionist or neo-Classical, there is something about the Gallic muse that suits both the flute and harp to perfection, as is exemplified in a spellbinding recital by Judith Hall and her long-time musical partner Hugh Webb entitled 'Early One Morning' (from the Damase set of variations that closes the programme). Hall not only produces a seamless, intonationally impeccable stream of golden sound, she seems immune to breathing noise of any kind. .... Both bring rare enchantment to a ravishing programme that ranges from the relatively familiar (Fauré's Berceuse and Ravel's Habañera) to the rarer delights of Françaix's Cinque Piccoli Duetti, Ibert's Entr'acte and Jongen's Danse Lente."
International Record Review September 2005