September 2024
Five Elements Vol 1: Acqua – piano recital (Da Vinci Classics)
An outstanding recital showcasing a formidable technique; let down by poor sound [DMD]
Schubert, Mahler and Webern: Music for Strings (Farao Classics)
For all the carefully argued and exhaustively justified reasoning behind these transcriptions, I fail to see – or rather hear – the point… [RMo]
de Hartmann: Violin Concerto & Cello Concerto (Pentatone)
I enjoyed and admired the Cello Concerto, but I count the Violin Concerto as a major discovery [JQ]
Brief Encounters: Music for Viola & Piano (Meridian)
Brief the encounters may be, but they are poignant, stirring and full of novelty [JW]
Linde: Chamber Works for piano and for piano trio (dB Productions)
Further evidence that Linde’s untimely passing deprived us of a major talent [RHa]
Frankel: Violin Concerto, Viola Concerto & Clarinet Chamber Music (cpo)
(Déjà Review) More evidence of an astonishing but neglected talent. A tonal serialist for whom melody was the thing [NHo]
Langgaard: Symphonies Nos 9-11 (Dacapo)
(Déjà Review) A rapturous masterpiece flanked by a pugnaciously enigmatic brevity and a euphoric example of Schumann-dominated nostalgia [RB]
Medtner: Piano Music Vol. 5 (Private Release)
Another splendid addition to a series that demands to be heard [DMD]
M Herz: Orchestral Works (Capriccio)
Vital, imaginative works from a near-forgotten German composer [JW]
Format Friction: Perspectives on the Shellac Disc (U Chicago Press)
A Sebaldian reflection, marred by trendy iconoclasm, on the global phenomenon of the gramophone and its listeners [NC]
Stefan Askenase (piano) Live Concert Performances (Meloclassic)
Meloclassic are doing us a real service adding to the discography of this wonderfully sensitive pianist [RCh]
Erick Friedman (violin) Live in Texas (Rhine Classics)
A pleasing addition to Friedman’s discography with these first CD releases [SG]
Lloyd: A Symphonic Mass, A Litany (Lyrita)
These works should most assuredly be in the libraries of all those who love the English choral tradition [PCG]
Humour and Classical Music: The Two Ronnies
by David Barker
Scriabin: The Complete Mazurkas (Music & Arts)
(Déjà Review) Enjoy Scriabin’s unique and transcendent music performed by a “Scriabinist to the manner born” [DS]
Schubert: String Quartets Vol. 6 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A fine example of interpretation and performance [TB]
The Estonian Cello (Toccata Classics)
A focused look at the Estonian cellistic lineage from 1913 to 1955 [JW]
Flury: Chamber Music Vol. 2 (Toccata Classics)
Richly rewarding music [SG]
Reason: Piano and Chamber Music (Prima Facie )
A warm welcome for the complete surviving piano music of a totally forgotten, surprisingly innovative composer [PCG]
Wallin: Stride, Whirld, Spirit, Five Seasons (Ondine)
A well-played and recorded survey of idiosyncratic yet often beautiful music [HC]
Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande, Verklärte Nacht (Pentatone)
Alternately delicate and voluptuous orchestral playing and rich sonics underpin the effect of this pairing [RMo]
Chopin: Études (Decca)
A good recording but maybe not quite as impressive as his Liszt [MB]
Schubert: Sacred Music (Capriccio)
(Déjà Review) Often imaginative and sensitive music accorded a high standard of performance [TB]
Cikada String Quartet: Saariaho, Cage, Maderna (ECM)
(Déjà Review) Bold and innovative music logically programmed [TH]
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