July 2023
Humour and Classical Music: Animated Shorts
by David Barker
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) An unusual and challenging interpretation with exceptional performances by the two leads [AO]
Bodinus: Divertissements (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Simply excellent music – why has it never been recorded before? [JV]
Thorvaldsdottir: ARCHORA, AIŌN (Dorian Sono Luminus)
Impressive new orchestral works by Iceland’s foremost active composer [GT]
Herrmann: Wuthering Heights (Chandos)
Extracts from an almost unknown superb opera raise hopes for a new complete recording [PCG]
Mirecki & J Wieniawski: Symphonies (DUX)
Two little-known composers, one very fine work [DJB]
Speaking Musically (Royal Academy of Music Press)
Weighty, serious and far-striding interviews; a rich resource [RB]
Aylish Kerrigan sings Kurt Weill (Métier)
The singer really understands this repertoire [JF]
Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610 (Acis)
A hugely successful outing recorded in a very resonant acoustic [DMD]
Weber: Oberon (Philips)
(Déjà Review) Playing and singing beautifully tailored to the score; an endless kaleidoscope of subtle colours [MC]
A Recital by Two Pianists (Dunelm Records)
(Déjà Review) A stimulating programme of relatively little-known music [PSc]
CPE Bach: Fantasias (Brilliant Classics)
Isn’t it time CPE Bach moved into the big time? [DMD]
JS Bach: Notebooks for Anna Magdalena (Hyperion)
A beautifully performed portrait of Bach’s second wife through the music which he chose for her [MSt]
Mills B: Elan Valley, Evening Rain (Claudio)
Light-suffused, sun-dappled romance, ecstatic sounds of nature …concisely expressed [RB]
Pereira da Costa: Concerti Grossi (Ramee)
Enticing performances of a little-known set of Baroque Portuguese concerti grossi in the Corellian style [CRo]
Respighi: Orchestral Works (Signum Classics)
Revival of a collection of appealing, less familiar Respighi [SV]
Spontini: La Vestale (Bru Zane)
Rousset and his team breathe new life into what is now the top choice recording for Spontini’s greatest opera [MP]
Tchaikovsky: Suites No 3 & 4 (Eloquence)
(Déjà Review) No need to delay, only extreme enjoyment awaits you [JP]
Tricklir: Cello Concertos (Cello Classics)
(Déjà Review) Definitely worth exploring [CH]
Winkler: Chamber Music (Da Vinci Classics)
Romantic intensity piled high and wide [RB]
London circa 1740 – Handel’s Musicians (Harmonia Mundi)
A compelling and entertaining survey of what was written and performed in London around 1740 [JV]
Ichmouratov: Piano & Viola Concertos (Chandos)
Ichmouratov’s concertos are finely orchestrated but lack originality [GT]
Paray: Seven Piano Pieces (MSR Classics)
The great conductor turns out to be an interesting composer [SB]
Moorland Symphonies (Lyrita)
A successful and informative introduction to this appealing composer’s work [NB]
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Featured Naxos review |
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