February 2025
Shostakovich: String Quartet 9
Shostakovich: String Quartet No.9 in E flat major, Op.117 (1964) Moderato con moto –Adagio –Allegretto –Adagio –Allegro…
Fauré: String Quartet
Fauré: String Quartet in E minor, Op.121 (1924) Allegro moderatoAndanteAllegro At first this may seem an extraordinary,…
Chopin: Piano Concerto 2
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 (1830) MaestosoLarghettoAllegro vivace During the first half…
Landmarks from Dawn of Electrical Recording (Pristine Audio)
A centenary salute to the early months of the revolutionary electrical recording process [jw]
Massenet: Le mage (Bru Zane)
This revival of a rare Massenet opera is compromised by a lack of melodic memorability and some less than ingratiating singing [rmo]
Takemitsu and Messiaen: Piano works (Stradivarius)
Beautiful music, well-played but presented in a slightly odd order [MBu]
Boito: Nerone (Dynamic)
A fine presentation of Boito’s unjustly neglected opera [WK]
Mozart: Orchestral Works (Gramola)
Turkovic’s performances compare favourably, and the mix of genres clarifies the distinctiveness of the symphony [MG]
Jackson: The Christmas Story (Delphian)
A compelling and innovative musical treatment of a well-loved story [WH]
Foulds: A World Requiem (Chandos)
Déjà Review) Ventures like this give one hope for the future of recorded music [PCW]
Purcell: Songs (Hyperion Helios)
(Déjà Review) Hard to imagine this music better interpreted [bw]
Wilfred Heaton: The Heaton Legacy (World of Brass)
A great exploration of the works of a little-known composer [KT]
Elgar: Violin Concerto (Channel Classics)
Elgarian musing taken to interminable lengths, and unnecessary Delian reclothing [JW]
Schumann: Carnaval; Liszt: Piano Sonata (Danacord)
Fascinating Schumann and Liszt on a contemporary piano [JF]
Mozart: Mitridate, Re di Ponto (C Major)
Very high musical standards are let down by a disappointing production [MP]
Folksongs • Tour du Monde (Anima Nostra)
A unique musical romp around the world [GH]
Colonna: Caro ardore, sacro amore (Dynamic)
Despite some issues, this disc may help restore Colonna to his rightful place in music history [JV]
Anna Netrebko (soprano): Souvenirs (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Unexpected delights, light but enjoyable and feel-good [MMB]
Charles Munch (conductor): Munch conducts Romantic Favorites (West Hill Radio Archives)
(Déjà Review) A splendid set [JQ]
Wisdom & Strength: Sacred Choral Music (Delphian)
Highly accomplished performances of stimulating and inventive contemporary sacred music [JQ]
Gershwin & Rachmaninov: Rhapsodic (Navona Records)
A seemingly obvious coupling, but it doesn’t quite come off [SV]
Williams: Missa Cambrensis (Lyrita)
A stunning performance of a Mass with Mahlerian proportions [JF]
Martinaitytė: ALETHEIA – Choral Works (Ondine)
Beautifully imaginative, strongly expressive music in immaculately prepared performances [HC]
Bruckner: Motets (Gramola)
A handful of Bruckner’s lovely motets, beautifully done, together with some organ improvisations [SB]
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Featured Naxos review |
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