MAY

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations Burkard Schliessmann (piano) rec. 2007 BAYER RECORDS BR100326 [38:06 + 45:00][MSJ] 

For those adventurous enough to enjoy hearing an old favourite transformed into something new ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Matthew Passion Dunedin Consort & Players/John Butt rec. 2007 LINN RECORDS CKD313 [3 CDs: 67:41 + 50:24 + 43:11] [PB]

A deeply satisfying and superbly recorded one-to-a-part recording of Bach’s ‘Great Passion’ ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Duke Bluebeard’s Castle Kolos Kováts (bass); Sylvia Sass (soprano); London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti rec. 1981 DECCA 0743254 [56:00][DM] This Bluebeard is as gripping as it gets ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Tone Poems - Vol. 2 Northern Ballads 1 & 2, Prelude for a Solemn Occasion, Nympholept, Red Autumn, The Happy Forest, Into the Twilight BBC PO/Vernon Handley  rec. 2006/7 CHANDOS CHAN10446 [76:44] [RB]

Into the Twilight reflects Bax's almost life-long love affair with the poetry of W.B. Yeats ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Nine Symphonies Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras rec. 2006 HYPERION CDS44301/5 [5 CDs: 59:28 + 78:40 + 71:33 + 64:40 + 61:34][OW]

A Beethoven cycle for our times ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Missa Solemnis, Violin Concerto Jussi Björling, Zinka Milanov, Alexander Kipnis, Jascha Heifetz, Westminster Ch, NBC SO/Arturo Toscanini rec. 1940 GUILD GHCD2248/9 [66:04 + 55:24] [JW]

One of the greatest, if not the greatest accounts of the Miss Solmenis ever committed to disc ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) I Puritani Valerian Ruminski, Anna Netrebko, Eric Cutler, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet/Patrick Summers rec. live 2007 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 0734421 [2 DVDs: 149:00 + 22:00] [RJF]

Anna Netrebko’s acted and sung interpretation of one of bel canto’s most demanding roles in a traditional production is a must for all lovers of the genre ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3 moderntimes_1800 rec. 2006 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72194 [64:08][TP] 

Korol and Grigorieva give us the best that HIP can bring to Brahms’ violin sonatas ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Benjamin DALE (1885-1943) Music for Viola Roger Chase (viola); Michiko Otaki (piano) rec. 2007 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7204 [67:43][MC]

Outstandingly performed and recorded … richly rewarding scores that deserve to be heard ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sigmund von HAUSEGGER (1872-1948) Natursymphonie WDR Rundfunkchor Köln; WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Ari Rasilainen rec. 2005 CPO 7772372 [56:37][RB]

A full-blown philosophical symphony alive in grandeur and Mahlerian magnificence ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Polyptyque, Maria-Triptychon, Passacaille Muriel Cantoreggi (violin) Juliane Banse (soprano) German RPO/Christoph Poppen rec. 2006 ECM 2015 (173 3930) [57:57] [DC]

Looking for that elusive ‘tingle factor’? ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Lionel MONKTON (1861-1924) Songs from the Shows Catherine Bott (soprano); Richard Suart (baritone); New London Light Opera Chorus; New London Orchestra/Ronald Corp rec. 2007 HYPERION CDA67654 [77:31][IL]

A wonderful old-fashioned treat ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No 24 in C minor K491 (1786) [30:42] Piano Concerto No 25 in C K503 (1786) [32:25] Fantasia in D minor K397 (1782) [6:22] Imogen Cooper (piano & director)/Northern Sinfonia; Bradley Creswick rec. 2007 AVIE AV2175 [70:00] [JS]

One of my favourite discs of these concertos ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHMIDT (1874-1939) Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln Wiener Singverein; Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich/Kristjan Järvi rec. 2005 CHANDOS CHSA5061(2) [64:04 + 48:55][RB]

Stunning as a work, as a performance and as a recording. For all practical purposes the leading version of Schmidt's masterpiece ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) En Saga, Tapiola, Finlandia, Valse Triste, Violin Concerto, Four Lemminkainen Legends Jan Damen (violin), Concertgebouw O, London PO/Eduard van Beinum, Danish RO/Thomas Jensen rec. 1952-57 DECCA ELOQUENCE 442 9487 [50:28 + 75:38] [RB]

A box of delights and discoveries for Sibelians ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata Renée Fleming, Rolando Villazón, Los Angeles Opera O & Ch/James Conlon rec. live, 2006 DECCA 0743215 [141:00] [RJF]

With the benefit of the latest picture technology, this performance goes to the top of the list for those preferring a traditional production ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH The Feast of the Ascension at Westminster Abbey Choir of Westminster Abbey/James O’Donnell rec. 2007 HYPERION CDA67680 [66:18] [JQ]

Everything about this disc is first class ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Fiesta REVUELTAS Sensemayá CARREÑO Margariteña ESTÉVEZ Mediodia en el Llano MÁRQUEZ Danzón No.2 ROMERO Fuga con Pajarillo GINASTERA Estancia CASTELLANOS Santa Cruz de Pacairigua BERNSTEIN West Side Story -- Mambo Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela/Gustavo Dudamel rec.2008, DG 477 7457 [75:57] [DM]

An utterly irresistible programme ... see Full Review

---

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Rhapsody in Blue, Songbook, Piano Concerto Peter Donohoe (piano) London Sinfonietta, City of Birmingham SO/Simon Rattle. rec. 1986-90 EMI ENCORE 5089952 [67:02] [OW]

A fantastic bargain … all-round exceptional performances, beautifully recorded ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
Boxed set La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ (1965-1969) Visions de l’Amen (1943) Des canyons aux étoiles .. etc. NAÏVE - DISQUES MONTAIGNE MO 782179 6CDs [531:07] [DC]

Some of Messiaen’s biggest and best, brilliantly performed, at bargain price. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) The Collector’s Edition: Symphonies, Concertos, Overtures, Choral works and piano solos EMI CLASSICS COLLECTORS EDITION 5194292 [7 CDs: 521:07] [RB]

Go for it: splendid performances radiating an aptly wild and woolly imagination coupled with great attention to mood and instrumental detail ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Joaquín RODRIGO (1902-1999) Concierto de Aranjuez Toru TAKEMITSU (1930-1996) To the Edge of Dream Malcolm ARNOLD (1931-2006) Guitar Concerto Julian Bream (guitar); City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Simon Rattle rec. 1990-2 EMI CLASSICS CDC 7546612 [58:16][OW]

Bream’s input pushes this disc way into the category of ‘sublime’... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Edmund Rubbra (1901-1986) Song of the Soul, Four Mediæval Latin Lyrics, Inscape, Veni, creator Spiritus, Advent Cantata Stephen Varcoe, ASMF Ch, City of London Sinfonia/Richard Hickox rec. 1999 CHANDOS DOWNLOAD (CHAN9847) [56:21] [BW]

Even if you have never yet downloaded anything, do make the effort to obtain this wonderful recording ... see Full Review

 

JUNE

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Latin Church Music Vol. 1 Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Chorus/Ton Koopman rec. 2008 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72188 [74:54 + 75:03][BW]

Wonderful music – excellent performances and recording ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) West Side Story chorus; orchestra/Leonard Bernstein rec. 1984 The Making of West Side Story - documentary DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4777101 [CD: 76:36; DVD: 88:00][RB]

Rawness, rasp and romance... an out and out blast ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Falstaff – Symphonic Study, Op.68 (1913) [33:19] Enigma – Variations on an original Theme, Op.36 (1899) [29:46] Pomp and Circumstance March No.5 in C, Op.39 (1930) [5:41] New Philharmonia Orchestra/Andrew Davis rec. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London, 4-5 January 1974. ADD. LYRITA SRCD.301 [68:46] [BW]

Just has the edge over Davis’s own excellent re-makes .... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Vincent d’INDY (1851-1931) Orchestral Works Vol. 1 Jour dété à la montagne, La Forêt enchantée, Souvenirs Iceland SO/Rumon Gamba rec. 2007 CHANDOS CHAN10464 [63:25] [DM]

A sonic and musical treat. Not to be missed ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848) La Fille du Régiment The Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Bruno Campanella rec. 2007 VIRGIN CLASSICS 5190029 [132:00][RJF]

Dessay’s memorable performance as Marie will define her career ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hugues DUFOURT (b. 1943) Le Cyprès blanc; Surgir Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Pierre-André Valade rec. 2004-6 TIMPANI 1C1112 [61:01][HC] 

Truly magnificent. Vital and assured readings of exacting scores ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Philip GLASS (b. 1937) The Concerto Project - Volume II Piano Concerto No. 2 “After Lewis And Clark”, Concerto for harpsichord and orchestra Paul Barnes (piano), R. Carlos Nakai (Native American flute) Jillon Stoppels Dupree (harpsichord) Northwest CO/Ralf Gothóni rec. 2005 ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0030 [58:53] [DJB]

Hypnotic in the best Glass tradition, also moving, thrilling and great fun! … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Ariodante Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis rec. 2007 DYNAMIC 33559 2 DVDs [157:00][RM]

A very very good DVD of a great Handel opera ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jonathan HARVEY (b. 1939) Tranquil Abiding, Body Mandala, Timepieces, White as Jasmine, … towards a Pure Land Anu Komsi (soprano) BBC Scottish SO/Ilan Volkov rec. 2007 NMC D141 [79:59] [TH]

You should have this disc of music by one of the UK’s finest elder statesmen ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1811) Symphony 10 Wiener Philharmoniker/Daniel Harding rec. 2007 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4777347 [78.00] [AOz]

A truly distinctive Mahler 10, to challenge and stimulate ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Josquin des PRÉS (c.1440-1521) Missa Sine Nomine; Missa ad Fugam The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. 2007 GIMELL CD and DOWNLOAD CDGIM039 [69:12][BW] 

Superb performances of little-known but splendid works ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sakontala reconstructed by Karl Aage RASMUSSEN Durwasas Kammerchor Stuttgart, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen/Frieder Bernius rec. 2006 CARUS 83218 [55:52 + 30:27][MM-B]

A historic and wonderful recording of Schubert’s best work for the stage ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Kullervo Soile Isokoski (soprano); Tommi Hakala (baritone); YL Male Voice Choir, Helsinki PO/Leif Segerstam rec. 2007 ONDINE ODE1122-5 [77:56] [RB]

A fine and epic Kullervo commanding its own place in a crowded field ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore Leontyne Price, Franco Corelli, Vienna State Opera Ch, Vienna PO/Herbert von Karajan rec. live 1962 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4476592 [67:22 + 61:26] [ST]

The sheer theatrical magic produced by the best in the world in live performance ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Chant: Music for Paradise The Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz rec. Sanctuary of the Relic of the Holy Cross, Stift Heiligenkreuz, Austria, 21^st March-3^rd April, 2008. DDD.Booklet with notes, texts and translations. UNIVERSAL CLASSICS & JAZZ UCJ176 6016 [52:45] [BW]

Already a best-seller and deservedly so ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Karen Geoghegan plays Bassoon Concertos Johan Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Grand Concerto W23 for Bassoon and Orchestra in F major [23:45]; Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Andante e Rondo ungarese Op 35 in C minor [9:08]; Franz BERWALD (1796-1868) Concert Piece in F major [11:10]; Carl Heinrich JACOBI (1791-1852) Introduction and Polonaise Op 9 [9:00]; Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Romance Op 62 [5:13]; George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Summertime [4:36] Karen Geoghegan (bassoon) Orchestra of Opera North/Benjamin Wallfisch rec. 9-10 January 2008, St George’s Hall, Bradford. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10477 [51:46] [CR]

Extraordinary, deeply expressive, bassoon playing ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Legendary Piano Recordings The Complete Grieg, Saint-Saëns, Pugno, and Diémer recordings and other G & T rarities Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Claude Debussy, Camille Saint-Saëns, Louis Diémer, Raoul Pugno (piano) rec. 1903-1919 MARSTON 52054-2 [77:47 + 79:50] [JW]

Technology applied with integrity at the service of music. Magnificent ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH David Nadien (violin): Volume 4 – the celebrated live concerto performances; Music by Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937), Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936), Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) and Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) David Nadien (violin); Various accompaniments rec. 1965-7 Bonus DVD – David Nadien – Life and Music, a film by Mordecai Shehori CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD130 [72:28 + DVD: 68:00][JW]

Bewitching colour, tonal variety, tremendous vitality and generosity ... see Full Review

---

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Favourite Organ Works Werner Jacob rec. 1970-83 EMI CLASSICS Triple 5093932 [3CDs: 69:50 + 69:44 + 75:45] [BW]

An excellent 3-CD set for beginners and seasoned collectors alike ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Popular Puccini: Tosca, Boheme, Butterfly - films of Puccini’s most popular Operas in one box DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 073 4417 [363:00][AB]

Classic films which despite minor faults are up with the best ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975) Piano Concertos 1 & 2, Violin Concertos 1 & 2, Cello Concertos 1 & 2, Piano Quintet EMI CLASSICS 5094282 [3 CDs: 74:35 + 65:22 + 66:09] [BBr]

An invaluable set for the generalist or the ardent fan ... see Full Review

---

JULY

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies 4 & 7 The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen/Paavo Järvi rec. 2004-6 RCA RED SEAL 88697 129332 [69:23] [MG]

Herreweghe - considered and Olympian, Järvi: spontaneous and mood-varied … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Albert Herring - A Comic Opera in Three Acts Op. 39 (1947) [133:35] Lady Billows, an elderly autocrat – Joan Cross (soprano) Albert Herring, from the greengrocer’s – Peter Pears (tenor) The English Opera Group Chamber Orchestra/Benjamin Britten rec. live 1949. DDD English libretto included NIMBUS NI 5824/6 [3 CDs: 51:43 + 51:52 +30:00]

The sheer vitality and excellence of the work of Britten and the EOG ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony 2, In the South, Sospiri BBC SO/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1937-44 BEULAH 5PD15 [76:37] [EMc]

Wonderful … consistent inspiration … unforgettable ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Girolamo FRESCOBALDI (1583-1643) Keyboard Music from Manuscript Sources Martha Folts (harpsichord) rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570717 [73:03][JV] 

A spectacular combination of music, instrument and performer - not to be missed ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Charles IVES (1874-1954) Songs, Orchestral and Ensemble pieces Marni Nixon (soprano); John McCabe (piano); Henry Herford (baritone); Ensemble Modern/Ingo Metzmacher rec. 1967 & 1991 EMI CLASSICS AMERICAN CLASSICS 2066312 [79:24][RB]

A master of dissonance ... the magic of mood, evocation, suggestion ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Edouard LALO (1823-1892) Symphonie Espagnole, Fantasie Norvégienne, (both works arr. violin and guitar by Lars Hannibal) Kim Sjøgren, (violin); Lars Hannibal, (guitar) rec. 1992 OUR RECORDINGS 8.226903 [48:33] [KS]

Delightful arrangements of well known works, a lovely little musical diversion ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) Sequence for All Saints; Chorale Prelude: Rockingham; O God, enfold me in the sun; Morning Canticles; The World’s Desire Wells Cathedral & School Chapel Ch/Matthew Owens rec. 2007 HYPERION CDA67641 [76:23] [JQ]

Superb: Hyperion and the musicians have done Leighton proud ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nikolai MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Symphonies 17 & 21, Salutatory Overture Russian Federation Academic SO/Evgeny Svetlanov rec. 1991-3 ALTO ALC1023 [77:14] [RB]

Fervent music-making from Svetlanov and Myaskovsky ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) La Bohème (1896) Norma Fantini, D’Annunzio Lombard, Massimiliano Pisapia Children’s Choir, Orchestra and Chorus of Festival Puccini/Stewart Robertson rec. 2007 DYNAMIC 33564 [118:00] [GF]

A feast for eye as well as ear! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Julius RÖNTGEN (1855-1932) Aus Goethes Faust Machteld Baumans, Marcel Beekman, Dennis Wilgenhof, Nationale Reisopera Enschede Ch, Netherlands SO/David Porcelijn rec. 2007 CPO 777 311-2 [60:34] [RB]

Extraordinary work … totally beguiling freshness of romantic invention ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH American Orchestral Song Music by Virgil THOMSON (1896-1989), John Alden CARPENTER (1876-1951), Roy HARRIS (1898-1979), Charles Tomlinson GRIFFES (1884-1920) and Horatio PARKER (1863-1919) Patrick Mason (baritone); Odense Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mann rec. 2007 BRIDGE 9254 [57:56][RB]

Luscious late-romantic song-cycles with orchestra and the visionary Harris more angular ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Knotwork Graham FITKIN (b.1963) Vent (1994) [8:58]Eddie McGUIRE (b.1948) Celtic Knotwork (1990/94) [4:39] Pierre Max DUBOIS (1930-1995) Quatuor (1964) [7:15] Lenny SAYERS (b.1977) For Four (2001) [5:13] Eddie McGUIRE (b.1948) Chinese Knotwork (2001) [6:57] Alfred UHL (1909-1992) Divertimento (1942) [12:31] Nicholas SIMPSON (b.1958) Mardale Changes (2005) [9:39] Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Histoire du Tango (1986) [18:57] Fell Clarinet Quartet (Colin Blamey, Helen Bywater, Marianne Rawles, Lenny Sayers) rec. October 2007, Prestonkirk Church, East Lothian, Scotland. DDD DELPHIAN DCD34065 [74:20] [CR]

Accessible and well composed music for four clarinets – an incredible sound ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Lorraine at Emmanuel - Celebrating the lives of Lorraine Hunt Lieberson and Craig Smith BACH and HANDEL arias Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (mezzo) The Orchestra of Emmanuel Music/Craig Smith and John Harbison rec. ‘live’ 1992; 1995; 1999, Emmanuel Church, Boston, MA. DDD English texts (Handel) and German texts with English translations (Bach) included AVIE AV2130 [60:58]

A superb disc that all admirers of this singer will want to have ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anna Netrebko - Opera Arias Bonus: The Making of the Film: Anna Netrebko. The Woman – The Voice [14:44] Anna Netrebko (soprano) Wiener Philharmoniker/Gianandrea Noseda rec. 2003. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 7566 [62:59 + 40:38] [GF]

One of the classics ... see Full Review

---

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) The Tender Land Suite, Piano Concerto, Old American Songs Vol. I, Old American Songs Vol. II (arr. for chorus) Benjamin Pasternack (piano) (Tender); St. Charles Singers (Songs); * Nathaniel Stampley (baritone); † Jeffrey Hunt (tenor) Elgin Symphony Orchestra/Robert Hanson rec. 2007, Song texts included NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559297 [63:42] [DM]

Lesser-known Copland superbly played and recorded. Indispensable. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841–1904) Symphonic Variations, op.78 (1877) [22:48] Symphony No.9 in E minor, From the New World, op.95 (1893) [41:56] Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop rec. 2007 DDD NAXOS 8.570714 [64:44][BBr]

Shattering in its power and urgency ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Orchestral works (including symphonies 1-8 & violin concerto) Russian State SO/Valeri Polyansky rec. 1997-2002 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 93565 [7 CDs: 455.08] [RB]

An often joyous set and an astonishing bargain ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Fanfare for the New Atlantis; Concerto No. 2 for guitar; Symphony No. 63 Javier Calderón (guitar); Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Stewart Robertson rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.559336 [59:29][RB]

Perhaps the best Hovhaness instalment so far from Naxos ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 Danish National Symphony Orchestra/Michael Schønwandt rec. 1999 NAXOS 8.570738 [71:11][LW] 

A real bargain and the best way to have these symphonies at very affordable cost ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concertos 1-5, Overture on Jewish Themes, Visions fugitives Michel Béroff (piano) Michel Portal (clarinet) Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Kurt Masur, Parrenin Quartet rec. 1974/81 EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 5176292 [72:03 + 75:56] [SH]

Béroff with Masur is as good as it gets, especially in such a pure ADD recording ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) L’Inganno Felice Czech Chamber Soloists Brno/Alberto Zedda rec. 2005 NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660233-34 [51.21 + 34.17][RJF]

A excellent and welcome addition to the burgeoning Naxos Rossini catalogue ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Symphony No. 2; Pour une fête de printemps; Suite in F Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Stéphane Denève rec. 2006-7 NAXOS 8.570529 [68:43][LW]

Superb performances and the recorded sound at an economic price ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865–1957) Symphonies 4 & 5 Berlin PO/Herbert von Karajan rec. 1976 CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 5218722 [71:24] [BBr]

A magnificent Fourth … an outstanding bargain ... see Full Review

 

 

Return to Review Index