November 2023
Verismo – Preludi e Intermezzi (Onyx)
A disk for all lovers of melodious music with substance; a happy mix, superbly played [GF]
Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio (Delphian)
A highly attractive disc on which very appealing music is performed to the highest of standards [JQ]
Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) Complete Acoustic & Selected Electric Recordings (APR)
A wonderful completion of APR’s series exploring Backhaus’ exciting early recording career [RCh]
Aux étoiles – French Symphonic Poems (Bru Zane)
A compact survey of favourites and unknowns beautifully presented and adroitly performed [JW]
Prokofiev: Eugene Onegin – Incidental music (Capriccio)
(Déjà Review) A superbly executed realisation of Prokofiev’s Onegin incidental music [JL]
Dukas: Complete Works for Piano Solo (Simax Classics)
(Déjà Review) Buy this disc – you will thank me, I promise [KS]
Charpentier: Messe de minuit (Harmonia Mundi)
The perfect disc to musically celebrate Christmas [JV]
Cherubini: Medea (Pristine Audio)
This recording is an established classic, and should be in every decent opera collection, especially in this newest incarnation [GF]
Dello Joio J: Piano Concerto (Bridge Records)
Impressive performances of three diverse and serious works [NB]
Ponchielli: Piano Music (Brilliant Classics)
Unknown but attractive salon piano from a composer known for opera [RCh]
Byrd: Songs of sundrie natures (Inventa)
The first recording of all Songs of sundrie natures in exemplary performances show Byrd’s charm, humour and unwavering focus on the key messages [MG]
Beethoven: String Quartets, Opp 127 & 132 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Beautifully paced, flawlessly executed [KS]
Alkan: Organ Works Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
(Déjà Review) Works of stature and originality … a strong recommendation [PCW]
Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 1 & Preludes (Alpha Classics)
The key release of Rachmaninov’s 150th anniversary year – a revelation [RWe]
The Harpsichord of Louis XV (Château de Versailles)
Tradition and innovation in a compelling recital of French harpsichord music [JV]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)
A jewel of a recording, splendidly remastered by Pristine [MP]
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (High Definition Tape Transfer)
Kudos to these Texan forces for a first-class Alexander Nevsky reproduced in superb surround-sound [RMo]
Dvořák: Symphony No 9 & Cello Concerto (Archipel)
(Déjà Review) Sample the slow movement of the New World and hear a magician at work [JW]
Bendix: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Danacord)
(Déjà Review) Bendix wrote some extremely beautiful and moving music [JF]
Donizetti: Don Pasquale (Opus Arte)
Well received when launched, with good singing and staging, this problematic production treats the title role unsympathetically [RWe]
Parry: Piano Music Vol. 1 (Da Vinci Classics)
Highly-successful performances of Parry’s largely forgotten piano music [JF]
Bach: Goldberg Variations Reimagined (Channel Classics)
Goldberg meets Brandenburg in a very successful merger [DJB]
Onslow: Symphonies 1 & 3 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Onslow’s is a voice that should be heard and not simply in relation to other bigger names [JW]
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