Solo & Concert Violinist – Recordings | Madeleine Mitchell Violinist

Recordings

Madeleine Mitchell Discography

Orchid Classics ORC100321

Notes on the loss of a friend: in Memoriam Nicholas Snowman written for Madeleine Mitchell, for solo violin

Gramophone Editor’s Choice Sept 2024

‘Here’s a marvellously stylish showcase for some eclectic and characteristically communicative repertoire by the seemingly indefatigable Michael Berkeley.’

Sunday Times best albums of 2024

'This is an attractive and unusual album'
Richard Fairman, Financial Times

Presto Music Recordings of the Year

Howells & Wood Quartets

Première recordings by Madeleine Mitchell and her London Chamber Ensemble Quartet including the two Howells violin and piano pieces she arranged.

Howells 'In Gloucestershire' 1920 'is a stirring work, full of vitality, expertly played here by the London Chamber Ensemble'... Charles Wood: 'Melodic, expansive, with hints of Irish folk song and a touch of Brahms, it’s an attractive work that merits this committed and rewarding performance.'

Fiona Maddocks The Observer - Read Full Review

Gramophone recommended recordings 2024

'I love the way Madeleine Mitchell and her colleagues let the music unfold in a natural manner...The high tessitura for first violin holds no bars for the leader, who alongside her players, so fervently projects the ecstatic elasticity. The playing of the slow movement is perfection...the finale thrillingly realised.'
Adrian Edwards, Gramophone - Read full review

'The London Chamber Ensemble Quartet catch winningly the al fresco pastoralism...both the eloquent slow movement and the spikily energetic finale highlight how closely attuned expressively these players are to one another'
Terry Blain BBC Music Magazine

'Instant appeal and warm-hearted good nature...impressive.. a valuable and illuminating recording of two substantial and fascinating works'

Nick Barnard, Music Web International Howells & Wood: String Quartets (SOMM Recordings) - MusicWeb International

'Wood's is a delightful work - open-hearted, generous-minded...such commanding, finely recorded and eloquent performances'
Jonathan Woolf, Music Web International

'Deeply empathetic interpretation' Klassik.com
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'A telling pairing of master and pupil, performed with élan'

The Strad

‘London Chamber Ensemble, one of the most important in the UK… Director Madeleine Mitchell reinforces a vision of lyrical serenity, contrasted with the vigour of the English composer's work.’

Josep Bosch, Sonograma (Spain)

Violin Conversations

A personal collection of mostly recent music with 8 premiere recordings, six pieces written for Mitchell, four recorded with the composers as pianists. Featured by BBC Music Magazine, The Strad, Times Radio, InterludeHK, Presto Classical

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'Mitchell's diverse Violin Conversations is full of riches…a fresh and challenging recital, beautifully played'

Fiona Maddocks, The Observer - Read full review

'Violin Conversations showcases the extraordinary range of works leading composers have written for Mitchell...finely honed passion (Rawsthorne Sonata) beautifully revealed by Mitchell and Andrew Ball.. a recording of subtle charm which shows just how approachable.. contemporary music has become'

Ivan Hewett, The Telegraph - Read full review

'The brilliant new recording by Madeleine Mitchell is a wonderful review of late 20th- and early 21st-century violin music. From music inspired by the flight of birds to music created out of the frustration of working through a company’s telephone system, we hear the breadth of performance technique (and humour) Ms. Mitchell brings to the works.'

Maureen Buja, Interlude HK - Read full review

'Madeleine Mitchell has been described on BBC Radio 3 as ‘the consummate violinist’. Proof of that comes royally throughout this CD where she performs the music of ten 20th century and contemporary composers…always fascinating and often delightful'

British Music Society - Read full review

'Mitchell’s committed and sensitive playing'

BBC Music Magazine

'A tantalising selection…Mitchell’s poised, confident playing is a constant, and the disc is superbly annotated.’

Arts Desk - Read full review

'A commendably varied set of selections…An album that does as well as any other at surveying a large group of contemporary trends'

AllMusic Classical Highlights - Read full review

Grace Williams Chamber Music

All premiere recordings by Madeleine Mitchell and her London Chamber Ensemble. Featured on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3 & Radio 4 Woman's Hour. No.2 on release in the Classical Charts .

Guardian CD of the Week:

'All recorded for the first time...The players of the London Chamber Ensemble make the writing sing, providing unflagging rhythmic drive...a persuasive disc'

The Guardian - Erica Jeal

'Passionate and persuasive advocacy...a powerful musical personality, well served by some gripping interpretations. More please.'

Gramophone - Richard Bratby

‘Mitchell assembles a fine collection of chamber players in what is obviously a labor of love. Brava!’

All Music USA

'The outstanding work is the bright, buoyant Suite for 9 Instruments from 1934...all in spirited performances by the London Chamber Ensemble'

Financial Times - Richard Fairman

'Absolutely first-rate throughout...Mitchell’s solo contribution on the violin is second to none...a totally idiomatic feeling for the composer’s eminently-emotional style which, of course, adds considerably to the success of this debut recording.'

MusicWebInternational - Philip Buttall

'Championed by Madeleine Mitchell..the LCE play wth exemplary reciprocity, conviction and persuasive charm throughout'

Classical Ear - Michael Quinn

'Mitchell puts heart and soul into the violin sonata and leads the rest with fizz and flair'

Norman Lebrecht Disc of the Week

'Spirited performances make a strong case for Grace Williams Chamber works'

I-Classical

'Mitchell produces a pure line and is impressively precise in the Sonata...an exciting release.'

Limelight Magazine Australia

'A sparkling performance from the ensemble'

The Strad

'Mitchell makes eloquent work of the Violin Sonata'

BBC Music Magazine - Geoff Brown

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Judith Weir 'Atlantic Drift'

Violin Muse

Seven world premiere recordings of works by British composers in a range of styles, five of them written for Madeleine Mitchell

With BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conductor Edwin Outwater, Nigel Clayton piano, Cerys Jones violin.

'This collection of recordings, all world premieres, is an eloquent testimony to the artistry and dedication of Madeleine Mitchell. Superlatively athletic playing, with every note perfectly in its proper place. An enchanting disc.'

- MusicWeb International - Paul Corfield Godfrey

'This is a fine collection of music assembled and performed by violinist - Madeleine Mitchell.'

- American Record Guide

'Madeleine Mitchell is a British violinist of great virtuosity. A splendid disc that deserves a place in the library of all lovers of contemporary violin music.’

- iClassicalEditor

'A nicely diverse selection, with recorded sound crisp and lustrous throughout, and Mitchell underlines her credentials as a persuasive advocate for these colourful contemporary pieces… a winning disc with much to enjoy.'

- Catherine Nelson, The Strad

'World premiere recordings from some of the finest of the UK’s contemporary composers and performers. A really expressive and creative project– superb violinist Madeleine Mitchell; throughout her playing is a total wonder.’

- British Music Society Magazine - Peter Byrom-Smith

'What is striking in Madeleine Mitchell’s violinism is her ability to make the violin sing with an eloquence of sound belonging to the great interpreters of the first half of the twentieth century.. ideally capturing the spirit of these authors’ scores. The recorded sound, performed in different locations, is remarkable and excels in tonal balance.'

- Andrea Bedetti, Music Voice (Italy)

'A diverse and finely realised programme.'

- Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone

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Violin Songs

With Andrew Ball piano and Elizabeth Watts soprano*

Popular melodies and rarities by Elgar, Bridge, Massenet, Schubert, Berg, Strauss* and music from Paris c1920s - Ravel, Prokofiev, Copland, Boulanger and Poulenc.

Classic FM CD of the Week & featured on BBC Radio 3 and 4.

'A particularly successful album...Madeleine Mitchell's playing is most appealing. Her tone is sweet and bright...unfailingly sensitive to the nuances and character of each piece.'

- Gramophone

'A beguiling programme...wonderful lyrical tone...Strauss 'Morgen' an exquisite conclusion...overall an enjoyable disc.'

- BBC Music Magazine

'A CD full of small joys wonderfully played.'

- The Strad

'Utterly magical'

- Classical.net

‘A terrific album’

- Lisa Dunscombe, Late Night Live Classic FM

‘Madeleine Mitchell has promoted much contemporary music, but now her violin turns wistful and melodic, wrapped in early 20th-century reveries. The seven charming Bridge selections show her at her best…tastiest in Bridge’s long-lost Morceau caracteristique, faintly Russian in hue’

- Geoff Brown, The Times

'Believe the recommendations. Mitchell is one of the best things to happen to violin, classical or otherwise. With a tremendous touch and wonderful style, this is gentle, caressing music that will blow you away. Simply, a great recording.'

- Midwest Record USA

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Copland Nocturne

Painting by Gerald Marks: The Madeleine Series no.7

In Sunlight Pieces for Madeleine Mitchell

by some of the UK's best known composers: Nyman, MacMillan, Osborne, Woolrich, Elias, Montague, Powers, Jones with Andrew Ball, piano.

Nominated for BBC Music's CDs of the year.

BBC Radio 3 CD Review Listeners' Choice

'The magnificent Mitchell...dedicated, penetrating musicianship' ★★★★★

- Stephen Johnson, BBC Music Magazine

'Mitchell delivers a quite masterful performance...so impressive...a delectable collection of small gems, in wonderfully empathetic performances'.

- Christopher Ballantine, International Record Review

'A most rewarding survey of new music. Wonderfully accomplished, irreproachably sensitive performances.’

- Andrew Achenbach, Gramophone

'For pioneering enterprise, the laurels go to this album, a whole host of works written for this remarkable violinist'

- Rob Cowan, The Independent

'Eclectic virtuoso of the violin Madeleine Mitchell has inspired living composers to a staggering degree’

- BBC Radio 3

'Mitchell is superb - technical hurdles are played with such ease they simply evaporate. Above all she conveys her deep commitment and affection for each work'

- David Denton, The Strad

'All nine items were written for the enterprising Mitchell'

- Paul Driver, Sunday Times Essential New Releases

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Alwyn Chamber Music & Songs

Naxos (with Iain Burnside, Roger Chase, Jeremy Huw Williams etc)

'The excellent violinist Madeleine Mitchell'

- Fanfare USA

'Violinist Madeleine Mitchell and a distinguished company of musical friends unlock the romantic richness of works such as the Sonatina for violin and piano. Outstanding'

- Andrew Stewart, Classic FM Magazine

'Madeleine Mitchell produces a sound of blemishless purity, exquisitely coloured by myriad shades of vibrato and ear-ringingly true intonation'

- The Strad

‘Lovingly performed by accomplished British artists’.

- The Observer

‘A major attraction is the playing of Madeleine Mitchell; it would be hard to imagine a more sympathetic and graceful interpreter.’

- All Music Guide USA

'Seventy minutes of intimate undeservedly neglected British music by the excellent Alwyn ... the 1948 Winter Poems superbly conjure atmosphere ... very worthwhile'

The Times 29 June 2007

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FiddleSticks

with Ensemble Bash
- Signum Records

Lou Harrison Violin Concerto with Percussion Orchestra, new works by Anne Dudley, Tarik O'Regan, Stuart Jones, Simon Limbrick.

Nominated for BBC Music, MIDEM, Grammy Awards 08.

'My favourite contemporary music CD of 2007...Brilliant stuff' ★★★★★

- BBC Music Magazine

'So captivating and headily virtuosic are the performances by Madeleine Mitchell and Ensemble Bash that one is left positively thirsting for more.'

- Classic FM Magazine

‘A wonderful, live-wire (performance of the Harrison Concerto), without conductor.’

- All Music Guide USA

'Mitchell is terrific throughout. She plays with a well-focused sound that is both beautiful and lively.'

- The Strad

'That always imaginative violinist Madeleine Mitchell'

- James Jolly, Gramophone

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British Treasures

SOMM CD 031 with Andrew Ball piano

Goossens, Hurlstone, Turnbull Violin Sonatas

'Three fine English sonatas...both these artists rise to the occasion, playing con amore and with plenty of spirit and attack. The recording is excellent...most enjoyable."

- Ivan March, Gramophone

‘Three gorgeously lyrical romantic British violin sonatas played with great affection. Highly recommended.’

- British Music Society Journal

‘Such stylish performances’

- Fanfare USA

‘Lovers of English music of the first decades of the 20th century will have a field day with this disc...performances beyond reproach and genuine musical understanding. A very successful disc.’

- International Record Review

‘Excellent performances’

- Tully Potter, The Strad

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Hummel Violin Sonatas

Meridian

'Most appealing...Lively performances'

- Edward Greenfield, Gramophone

‘The violinist plays stylishly’

-BBC Music Magazine

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Howard Blake

Violin Sonata, Jazz Dances, Penillion with the composer, piano
– Naxos

‘Beautifully written and performed by an all star team’

-Classic FM Magazine 2009

‘A very fine achievement...A very enjoyable and exciting disc. Madeleine Mitchell is a committed advocate for this music.’

- MusicWebInternational

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Howard Blake & Madeleine Mitchell, Potton hall (photo Michael Ponder)

Messiaen Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps & Krauze Quatuor pour la Naissance

with Joanna MacGregor

Re-issued 2010 on Warner Classics SoundCircus 2564

'An all star team which manages to outdo all its rivals..Mitchell leads the work to its sumptuous, ethereal apotheosis with a winning blend of poise and fervour. The competition is left sounding almost dull by comparison.’

- Gramophone

‘Her tone is ecstatically sweet as a hymn’

- US Stereo Review

Recommended benchmark recording BBC Music Magazine 1999 & Gramophone

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Bridge Chamber Music

Meridian

‘A landmark recording with gripping ensemble. First violinist Madeleine Mitchell and her luscious-toned friends do each work proud...Highly recommendable.’

- The Strad

‘Immensely warm hearted. A very attractive release.’

- Gramophone

‘Plays these works with beauty and with great understanding and enthusiasm’

- John France, MusicWeb-International

Alpha & Omega

Linn

MacMillan Choral Music - Cappella Nova, Madeleine Mitchell, solo violin: Domine non Secundum peccata nostra.

‘A marvellous set of performances.' ★★★★★

- BBC Music Choral CD of the Month

'Stunning violin solo’

Sinfini/Lebrecht Album of the Week

‘This third disc on Linn of choral music by James MacMillan by the excellent Scottish-based ensemble Cappella Nova once again displays their well-honed vocal talents. The group specialise in commissioning new works aswell as performing early music. They bring control and precision to the ecstatic, incantatory nature of MacMillan's work in these eight works, six on disc for the first time, Violinist Madeleine Mitchell, providing a complementary cantilena to the vocal writing in Domine non secundum peccata nostra, adds to the numinous mood.’

- Fiona Maddocks, Observer

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