Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

kats-chernin swans abc

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]

Donizetti Dynamic33488

Donizetti: Pia de’ Tolomei (Dynamic)

The whole production is effective both visually and dramatically [RJF]

Deja Hely Hutchinson Carol Symphony Naxos 8.557099

Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Happy Christmas from Naxos, a real stocking filler! [NHo]

Deja Shostakovich VC 1-2 Vengerov Elatus 0927-467422

Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2 (Elatus)

(Déjà Review) The playing and interpretations of Maxim Vengerov steal the show [TB]

barkauskas jeux avie

Barkauskas: Jeux (Avie)

(Déjà Review) Another Avie triumph [RB]

gabriel's greeting hyperion

Gabriel’s Greeting (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A Christmas recording with a difference [BW]

Weihnacht in Österreich (Gramola)

(Déjà Review) A model of creative programming and stylish performance [JV]

Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Scriabin: Piano Sonatas; Stravinsky: Serenade (ECM)

(Déjà Review) An absolutely tremendous disc, from all angles [CC]

Istanpitta – Festive music for the Visconti court (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) Some of the most complex forms of medieval music – fascinating repertoire, inspired performance [JV]

Candlelight Carols – Christmas with Allmänna Sången (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Riches galore on this disc [GF]

husum2002 DACOCD609

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum Vol 14 (Danacord)

A fine selection of little known works by well-known and obscure composers each a masterpiece or a forgotten gem [JF]

Yule carols HMU807325

Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols (Harmonia Mundi)

This is a Christmas disc for the connoisseur, I think, and it is strongly recommended as such [JQ]

Deja Shostakovich Schnittke Piano Quintets Naxos 8.554830

Shostakovich and Schnittke: Piano Quintets (Naxos)

Effective writing, leaving the listener almost breathless as the music disappears [KS]

Deja MacMillan Isobel Gowdie Frost Vanska BIS CD1169

MacMillan: The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, Tuireadh and The Exorcism of Rio Sumpul (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Lovers of the approachable face of contemporary music should snap this up [TH]

shostakovich shchedrin hyperion

Shostakovich and Shchedrin: Piano concertos (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Stunning performances of very contrasting works [RB]

vaughan williams wenlock warner

Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge & other works (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Something of a mixed bag but On Wenlock Edge is undoubtedly worth the price all on its own [GPJ]

Janáček: Glagolitic Mass, Taras Bulba (Supraphon)

(Déjà Review) Resplendent digital remasterings of these classics of the gramophone [RB]

Ravel: Complete Piano Works (MDG)

(Déjà Review) Bavouzet’s playing is restricted to a most narrow range: wonderful to superb [MC]

Beethoven: Piano Concertos No 1 & 5 (RCA)

(Déjà Review) This disc enjoys the privilege of being one of the worst I have heard for many a moon [CC]