Déjà Reviews
Re-published reviews from the archive
A L’Estampida – Medieval Dance Music (Avie)
I can’t imagine any listener being disappointed in this infectious and delightful program [KS]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Opus Arte)
A superb fusion of singing, music and stagecraft [AOz]
The Score – Interviews with Film Composers (Silman-James Press)
(Déjà Review) This is a book that is well overdue. It is an inside look at the working life of the people who compose for films against ruthless deadlines and the dictates of production teams [IL]
Dutilleux: Symphony No 2, Métaboles & The Shadows of Time (EMI Classics)
(Déjà Review) The fine cohesive forces and undeniable emotive power of these pieces should surely serve to guarantee them a lasting place in the repertoire … the more one listens, the more there is to discover [CC]
Schumann & Brahms: Chamber Music (Naxos Historical)
(Déjà Review) A real feeling here of spontaneity and depth of expression [TH]
Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Worth the price for Guleghina’s Abigaille [RJF]
Vivaldi: Music for the Chapel of the Pietà (Avie)
(Déjà Review) Exuberant and often full of élan and humour [GPJ]
Tippett: A Child of Our Time (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An indispensable purchase for all admirers of Tippett and all lovers of the English choral tradition [JQ]
Saint-Saëns: Organ music (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An excellent opportunity to move beyond the familiar [JF]
Scarlatti: Sonatas (BIS)
(Déjà Review) A pianist to watch out for, and a recording that need not fear critical listening [ED]
Rimsky-Korsakov & Stravinsky: Scheherazade, Song of the Nightingale (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) Sumptuous, exciting and wonderfully sensuous [IL]
Raff: String Quartets 6 & 7 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A talented and wholly convincing composer, able to adapt classical principles and romantic ends [TB}
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) Mozart & Beethoven (Music & Arts)
A must-hear for Michelangeli fans, and indeed for all lovers of great pianism [CC]
Poulenc, Duruflé & Alain: Organ Works (Apex)
An imaginatively planned programme, performed with dedication and total accomplishment [GPJ]
Brahms: Sextets No 1 & No 2 (EMI Classics)
(Déjà Review) The quite wonderful playing of No 1, in particular, makes this an essential disc [CH]
Myaskovsky: Complete Symphonic Works (Olympia/Alto)
(Déjà Review) A major stride forward in the Myaskovsky revival. Strong and broadly expressed interpretations mostly in modern digital recordings [RB]
Mahler: Symphony 8 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) – A second view: Superbly performed by all concerned and expertly recorded [JQ]
Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) So many details teased out by Alessandrini make this new version very compelling indeed [TH]
Magnard & Fauré: String Quartets (Aeon)
(Déjà Review) Substantial works in immaculate performances [HC]
Mahler: Symphony 8 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Lean and direct, intent on clarity and sense of direction, but an apparent lack of some grandeur and sense of occasion [TD]
Lauridsen: Choral music (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) This disc is a must – I hope you enjoy it as much as I have [JPh]
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, Carnival Overture; Smetana: The Bartered Bride Overture (RCA)
(Déjà Review) Ebullient and powerful and the finale sweeping but not overdone, and with tremendous inner rhythm [JW]
Quatuor Kandinsky: French Piano Quartets (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A sultry recording of surgingly romantic music given the hot-blooded approach [RB]
Chopin: Reminiscences (Linn)
(Déjà Review) It depends on whether you’re a fan of Pizarro, or his personal selection [TH]
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