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Alphabetical Listing

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]


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RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sir Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Piano Quintet Frank BRIDGE (1879-1940) Piano Quintet Ashley Wass (piano) Tippett Qt rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572474 [68:18] [IL]

Stunning performances of two important British piano quintets.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Complete Violin Sonatas Renaud Capuçon (violin) Frank Braley (piano) rec. 2009 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6420010 [3 CDs: 71:44 + 77:45 + 73:47] [MC]

Can stand alongside the finest sets available.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Christoph GRAUPNER (1683 - 1760) Christmas Cantatas Veronika Winter (soprano) Franz Vitzthum (alto) Jan Kobow (tenor) Markus Flaig (bass) Das Kleine Konzert/Hermann Max rec. 2010 CPO 777 572-2 [73:44] [JV]

There is hardly a better way to get to know Graupner's individual vocal style than with this disc.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1938) String Quartets Mandelring Qt, Gunter Teuffel (viola d’amore) rec. 2009 AUDITE 92.545 [67:14] [SR]

A must-have for Janáček-fans and chamber music aficionados alike. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Charles Martin LOEFFLER (1861-1935) Two Rhapsodies Five Songs Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863-1937) Sonata da Camera Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Prelude, recitative and variations William Dazeley (baritone) London Concord Ens rec. 2001/2 CHAMPS HILL CHRCD010 [61:31] [KS]

Elegant music, flawlessly performed. This is one of the finest recordings that I have encountered in some time.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Symphony 3, Chain 3; Concerto for Orchestra BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2010 CHANDOS CHSA5082 [69:56] [WH]

Magnificent performances of three masterpieces from a master composer.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Alessandro MELANI (1639-1703) Motetti Concerto Italiani/Rinaldo Alessandrini rec. 2006 NAÏVE OP30431 [67:07] [JV]

Brilliant performances of sacred music by a great composer. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH  Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concertos 3 & 4 Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) London SO/Antonio Pappano rec. 2009 EMI CLASSICS 6405162 [67:14] [IL]

Another winning Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, Piano Concerto, Miroirs Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) Cleveland O/Pierre Boulez rec. 2010 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8770 [70:32] [IL]

An excellent recording of a terrific partnership between soloist and orchestra and of beautifully sculpted solo performances. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Scheherazade, Russian Easter Festival Overture Royal PO/Charles Dutoit rec. 2010 ONYX 4064 [61:15] [BBr]

This Scheherazade is too good to miss.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660 - 1725) La Santissima Trinita Roberta Invernizzi, Veronique Gens, Vivica Genaux, Europa Galante/Fabio Biondi rec. 2003 VIRGIN CLASSICS 6286472 [67.27] [RH]

One of my discoveries of the year. Very fine singing and playing, combined with a work which seems to have an abundance of variety, displaying Scarlatti’s genius at its best.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Moses und Aron Dale Duesing (baritone) Andreas Conrad (tenor) Chorwerk Ruhr, Bochum SO/Michael Boder rec. live, 2009 EUROARTS 2058178 [106:00] [ST]

Altogether outstanding: a thumping, exciting, visceral experience, but a challenge too and something any serious music lover should rise to.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Die Schöne Müllerin Daniel Behle (tenor) Sveinung Bjelland (piano) rec. 2009 CAPRICCIO 5044 [65:46] [GF]

Should win admirers around the world.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) 24 Preludes, Piano Qnt David Kadouch (piano) Quatuor Ardeo rec. 2008 TRANSART TR162 [64:5] [BBr]

Exhilarating performances.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Baroque Christmas in Hamburg Works by Praetorius, Selle, Scheidemann, Bernhard, Scheidt, Förtsch & Weckmann Bremer Barock Consort/Manfred Cordes rec. 2009, CPO 777 553-2 [72:18] [JV]

A compelling programme of Christmas music from 17th-century Hamburg.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH In Dulci Jubilo - Romantic Choral Music for Christmas Norddeutscher Figuralchor/Jörg Straube rec. 2009 MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM GOLD MDG947 1651-6 [74:57] [CC]

This is a tremendous Christmas disc with a difference. Romantic period choral writing - a superb collection. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Puer natus est - Tudor Music for Advent and Christmas Stile Antico rec. 2010 HARMONIA MUNDI HMU807517 [78:09] [JQ]

Acquire this exceptionally fine disc and let the radiance of the music and the performances illuminate your Christmas.

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonatas 1, 4, 7 & 8 Alina Ibragimova (violin); Cédric Tiberghien (piano) rec. live, 2009 WIGMORE HALL LIVE WHLIVE0036 [82:24] [CC]

This is clearly a very special musical partnership, on the evidence of this disc. As fresh and invigorating music-making as one is likely to hear.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies, Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2, Fidelio Vienna PO, Berlin PO, CBSO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 1995-2003 EMI CLASSICS 4575732 [9 CDs: 10:00:00] [ST]

The keynote of the set is energy: pulsating, crackling, electrifying energy.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Georges BIZET (1838 – 1875) Carmen Jessye Norman (soprano) Mirella Freni (soprano) Neil Shicoff (tenor) Ntl O de France/Seiji Ozawa rec. 1988 DECCA 478 2488 [79:55 + 78:39] [GF]

A remarkable recording. Jessye Norman’s assumption of the title role is unforgettable.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony 6 London PO/Christoph Eschenbach rec. live 2009 LPO LIVE LPO0049 [59:59] [GD]

It's a great recording and worth every penny.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Frédéric CHOPIN (1810–1849) Piano Concerto 1, Nocturnes, Ballade 1, Polonaise 6 Maurizio Pollini (piano) Philharmonia O/Paul Kletzki, rec 1960/8 EMI CLASSICS 6317802 [72:56] [BBr]

This is a great disc which should not be missed.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto 2, Variations on Là ci darem la mano, Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante Eldar Nebolsin (piano), Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572336 [62:53] [JS]

Near the ideal in the performance of Chopin.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Rodolphe KREUTZER (1766-1831) Violin Concertos 17-19 Axel Strauss (violin), San Francisco Conservatory O/Andrew Mogrelia rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.570380 [71:45] [BR]

Lovely violin concertos which have me waiting for the rest of the series.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies 1-9, Grand Duo, Rosamunde Overture CO Europe/Claudio Abbado rec. 1986/7 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8687 [5 CDs: 330:04] [LW]

Abbado’s winning set still provides hours of truly wonderful music-making and at low cost. 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH John Philip SOUSA (1854-1932) Sousa’s Greatest Marches Royal Artillery Band/Keith Brion rec. 1999-2002 NAXOS WIND BAND CLASSICS 8.572651-2 [53:43 + 54:59] [DM]

Huzzahs all round. 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Requiem, Quattro Pezzi Sacri Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Janet Baker, Christa Ludwig, Nicolai Gedda, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Philharmonia Ch & O/Carlo Maria Giulini rec. 1962-64 EMI CLASSICS 6318212 [67:00 + 61:41] [MS]

One of the last century's greatest, most captivating, stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable choral recordings from a team at the peak of their various forms reissued. Don't miss it; though be prepared to live with some acoustic imperfections.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH English String Music Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Introduction & Allegro, Serenade, Elegy, Sospiri Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Tallis & Greensleeves Fantasias Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Brigg Fair Sinfonia of London, New PO, Hallé O/Sir John Barbirolli rec. 1962-70 EMI CLASSICS MASTERS 6317882 [BBr]

These performances defy criticism. They really don’t make them like this any more.

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Mélodies Françaises Gérard Souzay (baritone)/Dalton Baldwin (piano) rec. 1960-8 NEWTON CLASSICS 8802007 [4 CDs: 288:28] [JQ]

Lovers of French music and all connoisseurs of great singing should lose no time in acquiring this set, which represents an unmissable bargain.

 


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]


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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