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from around the country . . . "The renowned baroque orchestra . . . [plays] with personality and temperament." "The Cleveland Orchestra has serious competition in the baroque and classical repertories. This period instrument ensemble under the direction of Jeannette Sorrell is consistently accomplished." "The period-instrument band from Cleveland is renowned for its authoritative snap." "Apollo’s Fire has developed into one of America’s leading Baroque orchestras, and one capable of competing with some of Europe’s much-recorded bands." "Led by a brilliant harpsichordist, Jeannette Sorrell, the ensemble exudes stylish energy . . . a blend of scholarship and visceral intensity." "They were turning people away at the door . . . That unusually large turnout was warranted by the stylishness and boundless verve of Jeannette Sorrell and her musicians." "Sorrell led a revelatory [performance], with impassioned singing and playing bringing Bach’s [St. John Passion] score to life with contemporary immediacy." "A stunning achievement . . . It wins out handily over William Christie’s versions and other recent issues." "Apollo’s Fire is a superb ensemble that pairs vigor with finesse, enlisting period instruments to play baroque fare in a rigorously informed style." "Sorrell has developed one of the most enterprising and plucky early-music ensembles in the nation today." "Sorrell and her fine young choir lavish attention on every phrase and inflexion. The exhilaration and sense of discovery is utterly infectious." "Apollo’s Fire sounds like it’s been playing together for something like forever. Virtuosity runs rampant among the musicians, starting with Sorrell herself." AT HOME . . . from The Plain Dealer "The essence of Apollo’s Fire: joy onstage that generates joy in the audience." "Sorrell and her crackerjack ensemble play with a depth of sound few baroque orchestras on either side of the Atlantic could muster." "Sorrell’s brilliance was stamped on every aspect of the performance . . . She must be one of the best conductors around in this repertoire." "Artistic passion, inexhaustible energy . . . and keen musical observations that most performers probably couldn’t imagine . . . " "Sorrell and her players make contact with music on both visceral and intellectual levels, and the results are intoxicating." "This was virtuosic artistry in the best sense of the word." "Stratospheric artistry . . . one of the highlights of the year’s musical season in Cleveland . . ." "The entire account [of Monteverdi’s Vespers] was an Apollo’s Fire triumph. Sorrell must be one of the best conductors around in this repertoire. In her hands, the glory of Monteverdi’s accomplishment couldn’t have been more radiant or moving." |
