September 2023
Weill: Propheten, Four Walt Whitman Songs (Capriccio)
This legendary work turns out to be more a curiosity than a masterpiece [SB]
Talbot: Like water for chocolate (Opus Arte)
This highly-praised Royal Ballet production intrigues and delights [RMay]
Johnson: De Organizer, The Dreamy Kid (Naxos)
An interesting pair of early operas with roots in the African-American musical tradition [GF]
Parry: Scenes from Shelley’s ‘Prometheus Unbound’, Blest Pair of Sirens (Chandos)
Parry’s Wagnerian dilemmas encountered in this premiere recording [JW]
Sounds and Sweet Air – A Shakespeare Songbook ( BIS)
This fine, imaginative album will entertain and enlighten [JQ]
Mozart: Symphonies No. 34-36 (Hänssler Classic)
Played with sincerity, but the competition is fierce [MC]
Puccini: Le Villi (naïve)
(Déjà Review) Not just for anoraks, this is a marvellous introduction to Puccini [CF]
Rorem: Symphonies No. 1-3 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Three remarkable and previously unrecorded American Symphonies from a composer more noted for his vocal music [PSh]
Beethoven: Symphony No.3 & Overtures (DG)
A disc of distinguished Beethoven performances [JQ]
Weinberg: Dawn, Symphony No.12 (Chandos)
An unexpected and thrilling pendant to Storgårds’ survey of late Shostakovich [NC]
Enna: Violin Concerto, Symphony No.2 (Dacapo)
There is, unfortunately, little if anything that is distinctive in much of his music [JW]
The Life and Music of Elizabeth Maconchy (Boydell & Brewer)
An intellectually rewarding book, both absorbing and enlightening [SG]
Schubert: Stimme der Liebe (Somm Recordings)
A fine recital by one of great Schubert interpreters – more please! [RWe]
Stamitz: Six Trios (Linn)
Beautifully played and well-recorded, this is a valuable disc of chamber music by an underrated but interestingcomposer (GPu)
Lalo: Complete Piano Trios (MDG)
(Déjà Review) This is a most beautiful and appealing release, guaranteed to please chamber music lovers [MC]
Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas 5, 6 & 9 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) I was captivated with Glemser’s playing which emphasises the lyrical and romantic side [GH]
Porte Chiuse (Closed Doors) – (Maurizio Vetri Editore)
Absorbing reading for anyone able to read Italian and interested in Italian post-war history, both musical and political [CH]
Works for Cello & Piano (LAWO Classics)
An attractive programme, expertly performed [RWe]
The First Songs of Travel (Albion)
Despite reservations, Standen’s Songs of Travel merits a place in the VW discography [JQ]
William Wordsworth: Complete Music for Solo Piano (Toccata Classics)
Christopher Guild brings clarity, enthusiasm and commitment to this music [JF]
An Invitation at the Schumanns’ (Harmonia Mundi)
A delightful easy-listening programme with a couple of more substantial morsels [GF]
Echoes of Bohemia: Czech Music for Wind (Chandos)
A highly effective disc [JW]
Liszt: Piano works (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A fine choice for those who enjoy their Liszt stirred, not shaken [MM]
Delibes: Coppelia (Apex)
(Déjà Review) Nagano has such an infectious way with this score that makes it very hard to resist [TH]
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