Recommendations

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]

Superbudget £5.99 or less Budget £6-7.99 Medium £8-10.99 Full price £11+
Download

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Keyboard Works Angela Hewitt (piano) rec. 1994-2008 HYPERION CDS44421/35 [15 CDs: 17:39:00] [DC]

A truly valuable and life enhancing collection.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonatas 3 & 9 Viktoria Mullova (baroque violin), Kristian Bezuidenhout (fortepiano), rec. 2009 ONYX 4050 [54:34] [MC]

This stunning Onyx release can compete with the very best

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 –1827) The Complete Piano Concertos Paul Lewis (piano) BBC SO/Jirí Belohlávek rec. 2009/10 HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 902053.55 [3 CDs: 67:48 + 69:31 + 38:53] [JQ]

This set of the Beethoven piano concertos is a very considerable achievement

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric (Fryderyk) CHOPIN (1810-1849) Cello Sonata Simon (Szymon) LAKS (1901-1983) Cello Sonata Karl (Karol) SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Cello Sonata Raphael Wallfisch (cello); John York (piano) rec. 2010 NIMBUS NI5862 [75:53] [BW]

One of the unexpected highlights of the Chopin year for me.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810–1849) Songs Konrad Jarnot (baritone); Eugène Mursky (piano) rec. 2009 HÄNSSLER PROFIL PH04068 [53:34] [GF]

Those who still look down on Chopin’s songs should give this a listen. I’m sure they will be converted – just as I was.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929 – 1988) Works for Solo Piano Sonatas, Preludes, Winter Scenes Margaret Fingerhut (piano) rec. 2009 CHANDOS CHAN10601 [70:16] [NB]

Interpretations of the very highest order

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Lorenzo PALOMO (b.1938) Dulcinea Ainho Arteta (soprano) Ch & O Deutsche Oper Berlin/Miguel Angel Gómez Martínez rec. live, 2006 NAXOS 8.572577 [58:15] [GPu]

A compelling piece recorded live at its premiere

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) L’Inganno Felice Raúl Giménez, Annick Massis, Le Concert des Tuileres/Marc Minkowski rec. live, 1996 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 681484 [78.11] [RJF]

A welcome return to the catalogue at a price that should ensure that all Rossini-lovers add it to their collection if it is not already there.

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) L’Elisir d’amore Mariella Devia, Roberto Alagna Tallis Chamber Ch, English CO/Marcello Viotti rec. 1992 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 681478 [61:07 + 69.12] [RJF]

A very warm welcome to the return to the catalogue of this idiomatic and well sung performance.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano Quartets Helena Suchárová-Weiser (pno), Vlach Qt Prague, rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572159 [71:11] [SV]

Beautiful playing … at Naxos prices an absolute steal

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) The Complete Works - 150th Anniversary Edition EMI CLASSICS 6089852 [16 CDs: ca 19 hrs] [ST]

This set is a real treat, and an unmissable bargain.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Kirsten Flagstad - The Supreme Wagnerian Soprano rec. 1923–52 EMI CLASSICS ICON SERIES 4553462 [5 CDs: 377:55] [GF]

The Voice of the Century!

 

---

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]

---