August 2023

by David Barker

Piano music both engaging and enlightening [SG]

A splendid exploration of music set against the background of Classical mythology [JF]

A comprehensive and vivid picture of Sir Arthur Bliss [JQ]

Virtuoso playing in superb repertoire – irresistible [DMD]

A modernist take on Ligeti’s marvellous Études, with interesting extras [SB]

Cathy finally comes home in Herrmann’s magnum opus superbly performed [NB]

by Robert Barnett

(In Memoriam Déjà Review) Forget the limitations of this early video transcript and glory in Puccini’s music and the committed acting and singing [RJF]

(Déjà Review) Fine rare repertoire and typically sprung, lively sound with power and subtlety aplenty [RB]

Another fine but essentially redundant issue in this Mahler series [RMo]

Emotionally charged and challenging music offers much food for thought [SG]

A deeply emotional song cycle performed with insight and gloriously sung [GF]

Exemplary justice done … ecstatic filigree and truculent brass artillery [RB]

A legendary performance unfolds before you [NB]

Thomas Trotter’s technique and irrepressible enthusiasm shine in every bar [JF]

(Déjà Review) Two marvellous, scandalously neglected romantic piano concertos [JQ]

(Déjà Review) A celebration of one of the significant major bodies of music of the 20th century [GPJ]

Handel’s grand outdoor showpieces reduced in scale to intimate chamber works [RMo]

Colourful and quirky Ives receiving skilled if somewhat studious performances [NB]

Terrific performances by the Escher Quartet in spectacular sound [LW]

Musical illustration of a famous story [JV]

Followers of Dame Sarah Connolly will no doubt derive a lot of pleasure from this issue, but I wish she had recorded it a couple of years earlier [GF]

Something of a mixed bag [SV]