April 2024
Michael Haydn: Requiem, Missa in honorem Sanctae Ursulae (Hyperion)
Particularly memorable for their fine recording of Michael Haydn’s astonishing Requiem [RH]
Handel: The Six Organ Concertos Op. 4 (Avie)
Very imaginative and enthralling interpretations [JV]
Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Challenge Classics)
Mettlesome accounts, sometimes less smooth and sophisticated than Herreweghe’s, but a radiant slow movement of No. 2 [MG]
Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 3 & 9 (Genuin)
Well played and well recorded but interpretatively rather plain [NB]
Essential Royal Ballet; Pas de Deux (Opus Arte)
A fine starter pack for exploring top-notch live ballet on film [RWe]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Mussorgsky: Night On Bald Mountain (Warner Classics)
A fine Scheherazade, beautifully played but not necessarily superior to classic versions, and two thrilling Mussorgsky novelties which for me constitute the main interest of this issue [RMo]
Forgotten Czech Piano Concertos (Supraphon)
Attractive though not world-beating recordings of little-remembered Czech Piano Concertos [JW]
Rózsa: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2 (ASV)
(Déjà Review) A real winner and warmly recommended with the secret hope that ASV will next turn to the String Trio and Piano Quintet [HC]
Handel: Deborah (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Tread carefully, and be warned: if you give this modestly-priced issue a miss, you’ll be depriving yourself of some truly wonderful music, expertly executed [PJL]
Cassadó & Mompou: Complete Solo Guitar Works (Naxos)
Having all the compositions for guitar by these two Catalan composers makes this a desirable disc [GPu]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Pristine Audio)
Pristine’s stereo remastering reveals its glories yet more vividly – but unfortunately also highlights the constant hacking of the audience and Windgassen’s coordination problems. [RMo]
Sylvie Spycket (harpsichord) (Forgotten Records)
A short-lived harpsichordist heard in a bracingly robust recital [JW]
Philarmonica (Alpha Classics)
A potentially interesting programme, but it tended to all blend together [DJB]
Listening Studio Report
by John Quinn
Cikada Live – Huddersfield / Donaueschingen (LAWO Classics)
Klaus Lang’s stately Parthenon is the must-hear item here [RHa]
Lehár: Die lustige Witwe (Naxos Historical)
(Déjà Review) Good sound, excellent playing and glorious singing [GF]
Blyton: Choral Works (Upbeat Records)
(Déjà Review) This music, simply delightful as it is, could well change your life [GH]
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Naxos)
A strong musical performance hampered by the directors’ silly concept and by technical issues with the sound [ST]
Sibelius: Early Stereo Recordings (First Hand Records)
Surprises and little-known Sibelian nuggets [JW]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No. 21, 23 (Deutsche Grammophon)
A glimpse into Serkin’s final thoughts in works always central to his repertoire [SG]
Ponchielli: La gioconda (Pristine Audio)
A great Callas recording is tidied up a bit, and her co-singers are brought into better focus [RMo]
In Relations – song recital (Hänssler Classic)
A young soprano evidently to look out for, in a lovely debut recital [PT]
Chopin: Nocturnes (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A Chopin player of decided viewpoints [JW]
Arnold: Overtures (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Hugely entertaining music conducted with incisiveness and flair [JQ]
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