Déjà Reviews
Re-published reviews from the archive
Italian Clarinet Suites (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Interesting music from largely unfamiliar names [GPu]
The 18th Century American Overture (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A recording that generates a contented smile [JS]
John Williams (guitar): The Beginning of a Legend Volume 1 (IDIS)
(Déjà Review) An important historical recording [ZT]
Toldra, Casals & Montsalvatge: Music for String Orchestra (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) An original and completely unhackneyed collection of Catalan music for string orchestra [RB]
Verdi: La traviata (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) An excellent bargain which competes with the very best versions on record [DBe]
Tippett: Ritual Dances & Sosostris’s Aria (Nimbus)
The first and brilliant fruit of Nimbus’s joint project with the 84 year old composer [RB]
Charles Munch (conductor) A Treasury of French Music (West Hill Radio Archives)
There’s something here even for those with an extensive collection of Munch’s recordings [JW]
Tcherepnin: The Symphonies and Piano Concertos (BIS)
(Déjà Review) A fascinating and sometimes very engaging insight into the unfamiliar world of Alexander Tcherepnin [RB]
Verdi: La traviata (ICA Classics)
(Déjà Review) An enormously subtle creation enshrined for posterity [RMo]
Pierre Monteux in Boston (West Hill Archives)
(Déjà Review) Authoritative, finely played, well recorded and transferred [JW]
Strauss: Four Last Songs (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A magnificent souvenir of perhaps the greatest Strauss soprano ever [RMo]
Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier (Opus Arte)
(Déjà Review) This live recording has a great deal to offer [GF]
Vaughan Williams: String Quartets, Phantasy Quintet (Nimbus Records)
(Déjà Review) A popular grouping of RVW’s chamber works played with emotional fervour [RB]
R Strauss: Elektra (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A sensible and impressive performance with no significant weak links [DH]
Rózsa: Three Hungarian Sketches & Cello Rhapsody (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Committed, idiomatic and sharply attuned to the composer’s sensibilities [JW]
Pacini: Il convitato di pietra (Naxos)
A different take on a well-known story is accompanied by a Pacini’s sure composition and an enjoyable first public performance [RJF]
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring & Petrushka suite (Alto)
Voluptuous, elemental … an orchestra caught in headlong flight [RB]
Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Signum Classics)
(Déjà Review) In a word: magnificent [JS]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) I put the disc on expecting ‘decent’, but it’s spectacular [BR]
Messiaen: Harawi & Trois Mélodies (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An assault on the senses, but not to be missed [DC]
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (Nimbus Prima Voce)
(Déjà Review) Fascinating to hear such singers as Flagstad and Schwarzkopf in these roles [EML]
Vaughan Williams, George Butterworth: Songs (Nimbus Records)
(Déjà Review) English songs meet a thoughtful and highly sympathetic exponent with an unmistakable voice [RB]
Mozart: Symphonies 39 & 41 (Soli Deo Gloria)
(Déjà Review) Fine, vital live performances of two of Mozart’s greatest symphonies [JQ]
Malipiero: Tre commedie goldoniane (Three Goldoni Comedies) (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A most rewarding reissue, and a tantalising glimpse into Malipiero’s endearing sound-world [DM]
