ALBUMS & SINGLES
Norwegian boy-soprano Aksel Rykkvin has quickly built a reputation as a rare talent, combining an intelligent musicality with a beautifully resonant treble voice. On his debut recording he is accompanied by The Orchestra of the Age on Enlightenment under Nigel Short (leader of award-winning chamber choir Tenebrae), in a selection of arias by Mozart, Handel and JS Bach. Many of the arias performed are considered too technically demanding for boy singers in the present day – in particular Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate which was composed for the castrato Venunzio Rauzzini, and several of Bach’s Cantatas which were written at a time when singers often maintained their treble voices until the ages of 16 or 17.
"Widely praised for his richness of tone and instinctive, innate musicality" – BBC Music Magazine
"It’s a remarkable performance – pure, technically perfect and hauntingly beautiful" – Classic FM
"This is totally extraordinary. For the sheer joy in performing, this CD would be hard to beat" – Cathedral Music Magazine
The prodigious Norwegian treble Aksel Rykkvin returns to disc on Signum with a new disc of Baroque works, accompanying the MIN Ensemble under trumpeter Mark Bennett and the ensemble director Lazar Miletic. Featuring both instrumental pieces and excerpts from operas and oratorios by Handel, Rameau, Albinoni and Rittler, this disc further documents Aksel’s unique talent as a performer and interpreter of Baroque music.
"Rykkvin’s polished technique and confident musical personality yield a lovely account of Télaire’s lament" – Gramophone
"Vocal maturity, superb tuning and breath control are quite outstanding" – Cathedral Music Magazine
"A thoroughly enjoyable collection and those that appreciate Baroque music will be thrilled by what is on offer" – Cross Rhythms
"Light Divine further documents Aksel’s unique talent as a performer and interpreter of Baroque music. A must" – Northern Echo
Single composed by Joachim Knoph with lyrics by Robert Herrick. Treble solo: Aksel Rykkvin. Organ: Marcus André Berg.
Single from treble Cai Thomas' debut album, a duet with baritone Aksel Rykkvin, written by Karl Jenkins. London Mozart Players conducted by Robert Lewis.