Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Barber concertos 82876658322

Barber: Concertos (RCA)

Seventy-nine minutes’ worth of pure musical pleasure [GPJ]

Brahms beethoven RCO05002

Beethoven & Brahms: Symphonies (RCO Live)

One of the finest orchestral discs to have come my way for a very long time [JQ]

Deja Review Schoenberg Pelleas und Melisande de Waart ABC 4545142

Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande and Five Orchestral Pieces (ABC Classics)

(Déjà Review) A magnificent disc showing both the route that Schoenberg did not take, and, triumphantly, the one that he did [DBi]

Deja Review Sibelius Symphs etc Berglund EMI 5744852

Sibelius: Complete Symphonies and Selected Orchestral Works (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) One of the greatest symphonic cycles under a conductor who shows a deep understanding and profound identification with it [CH]

20C flute centaur

20th Century Works for Flute and Orchestra (Centaur)

(Déjà Review) A delightful anthology … tunefulness and brevity [HC]

mozart debussy songs ecm

Debussy & Mozart: Songs (ECM)

(Déjà Review) Banse’s subtle, dark-toned soprano is ideal for this material [TH]

Auric: Beauty and the Beast (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A most desirable release recommended to film buffs and anyone with interest in 20th Century French music [HC]

Bach: Piano Transcriptions Volume 5 (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Milne’s playing also reflects his love of this demanding yet rewarding repertoire [TB]

Sibelius: Rondo of the Waves (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Exalted performance values and rare vintage Sibelius [RB]

Pärt: Passio (St John Passion) (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Spotless intonation, and a clear sense of the rhythmic ebb and flow, world class [KS]

Sculthorpe cello TP136

Sculthorpe: Music for Cello (Tall Poppies)

If you don’t know Sculthorpe, you should and this disc would provide an ideal introduction [NHo]

Schubert mayrhofer2 8554739

Schubert: Mayrhofer Lieder Vol 2 (Naxos)

Intimacy in music encapsulated on a small circle of plastic – remarkable and breathtaking [SA]

Poulenc Stabat Mater Opus Arte OA 0817D

Poulenc: Stabat Mater and Litanies à la Vierge Noire (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) A moving, compelling document regarding some of this unique composer’s finest music [GPJ]

Respighi Belkis Queen of Sheba Oue Ref Rec RR95CD

Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba Suite and The Pines of Rome (Reference Recordings)

(Déjà Review) The exotic Respighi – contrasts the little known with the very well known. Recommended [AB]

meulemans orchestral phaedra

Meulemans: Orchestral Works (Phaedra)

Well-crafted and superbly scored works in which Meulemans’ orchestral flair and mastery are clearly displayed [HC]

offenbach helene regis

Offenbach: La Belle Hélène (Regis)

Not for nothing has this Offenbach been counted among the five all-time great recordings of French opera [CH]

Nielsen: Symphony No. 5, Flute Concerto (Hallé)

(Déjà Review) Brilliant performances of brilliant music, in other words a great buy [NHo]

Martinů: String Quartets No. 4, 5, 7 (Naxos )

(Déjà Review) Czech dances never seem to be far away … rollicking and suspense-laden [GH]

Mahler Delos

Mahler: Symphony No 10 (Delos)

(Déjà Review) We will never know what Mahler 10 would have  been like, but I’m sure it would not have sounded like this [TD]

Enescu: Piano Quintet, Quartet No 2 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Yet another jewel in the Naxos crown [KS]

Beethoven 5and6 CD93086

Beethoven: Symphonies 5 & 6 (Hänssler Classic)

Expect to be surprised, moved and possibly irritated [CC]

Creston joio CRC2356

Dello Joio, Creston & Bloch (Centaur)

Likely to win new friends for all three composers [RB]

Deja Review Janacek Makropulos Case Prague Supraphon 10835126122

Janáček: The Makropulos Case (Supraphon)

(Déjà Review) This has an unmistakably authentic feel about it [TH]

Deja Review Shostakovich Cpt Symphonies Barshai Brilliant 6278 1 11

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 1-15 (Brilliant Classics)

(Déjà Review) As a way to experience one of the greatest symphonic cycles of the 20th century this has to be an essential purchase at this price [DBi]