Déjà Reviews
Re-published reviews from the archive
Mozart: Piano Concerti No.17, 21 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Tremendous, life-affirming Mozart playing, marking Pollini’s welcome return to this territory [CC]
Offenbach: Romantique (Archiv Produktion)
(Déjà Review) A delightful collection, with some lesser-known material [RW]
Roussel: Symphonies Nos 2-4 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) The Cluytens-Prêtre team is formidable and allied to the lesser known, but still ardent, Dervaux you have as incisive a trio of conductors as you could wish at this price range [JW]
Granados: Goyescas Piano Suite, El Pelele (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) To put it simply, this is the finest recording of music for guitars that I have ever heard [KS]
Foulds: Dynamic Triptych (Warner Classics)
Sensational, often exhilarating, music, given sensational, sensitive and radiant performances [EML]
Handel: Arias (Sony Classical)
Another highly attractive addition to my already impressive collection of present-day mezzos [GF]
MacMillan: Chamber Music (Black Box)
(Déjà Review) A comprehensive survey of the chamber music, superbly played [HC]
J C Bach: Complete Symphonies (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Brings to fruition a marvellous eight year project in one well presented box. Playing is excellent. A chance to reappraise the work of an underrated composer [JL]
Grainger: The Warriors (Cala)
(Déjà Review) High excitement, earthy vitality and superbly recorded sound [MC]
Delius: Florida Suite, Paris, Brigg Fair (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) These are gorgeous performances and recordings of Delius favourites played unaffectedly yet con molto amore [RB]
Copland and his American Contemporaries (Avie)
(Déjà Review) A very good disc, which nicely rounds off a most stimulating mini-series [JQ]
Britten: Gloriana (Arthaus Musik)
The closest recorded representation of the full operatic experience [MG]
van Hoof: Orchestral Works (Phaedra)
(Déjà Review) Warmly recommended to all who relish beautifully crafted, colourful and tuneful late-Romantic music [HC]
Bach: Violin concerti & Brandenburg Concerto No 5 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Very fine performances that do not unseat my personal favourites [TP]
Arnold: Concerto for 28 Players & Orchestral Suites (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Hickox and Chandos at their very best [RB]
Romantic Pieces for Piano (Challenge Classics)
(Déjà Review) Well-played and recommended, especially for the Alkan [DBl]
Torke: Rapture, An American Abroad and Jasper (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An excellent introduction to the sound world of Michael Torke. Minimalism with a difference [NH]
Kats-Chernin: Wild Swans (ABC Classics)
(Déjà Review) Future listeners will wonder how music of this quality could possibly have escaped their attention [ZT]
Coleridge-Taylor, Harrison: Violin concertante works (Lyrita)
(Déjà Review) Underappreciated English concertante works given fine readings [JF]
Handel: Fernando, Re di Castiglia (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A delightful score, fortunate here in being both sensitively and expressively performed [IB]
Arnold: Concerto for Two Pianos (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A valuable addition to the growing Arnold catalogue [BBr]
Bruckner: Symphony No 7 (Atma Classique)
(Déjà Review) A dedicated performance, with sensitive awareness of Bruckner’s idiom and musical characteristics [TB]
Wien bleibt Wien: Waltzes & Polkas (MDG)
An utterly delightful programme, played with charm and elegance [GF]