Déjà Reviews
Re-published reviews from the archive
Turnage: Music to Hear (Black Box)
(Déjà Review) Turnage’s chamber music has a restrained confessional tone far from Turnage’s “public” statements. His chamber music communicates directly through simplicity, subtlety and sincerity. Highly accessible and communicative music [HC]
Fayrfax: The Masses (ASV Gaudeamus)
(Déjà Review) Magnificent discs containing sumptuous examples of early Tudor polyphony presented in first class performances [JQ]
Sumera: Mushroom Cantata (BIS)
(Déjà Review) As irreplaceable as a volume by a favourite author – be sure never to lend it to anyone; you’re unlikely to get it back! [DC]
Nielsen: Aladdin Suite (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An excellent introduction to Nielsen’s marvellous music. Established Nielsen enthusiasts should also add this splendid anthology to their collections without delay [JQ]
Scarlatti D: Complete keyboard sonatas (Erato)
(Déjà Review) This set is a pinnacle in the history of recorded music [PCW]
Stanford: Piano Quintet, String Quintet No. 1 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Wonderful music and marvellously performed [MC]
Monteverdi: Stage Works (Apex)
(Déjà Review) Essential listening for all Monteverdi enthusiasts [JF]
Griffes: Orchestral Works (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A nice addition to the impressionist repertoire, and a great diversion from Afternoon of a Faun [KS]
Dukas: Complete Works for Piano Solo (Simax Classics)
(Déjà Review) Buy this disc – you will thank me, I promise [KS]
Prokofiev: Eugene Onegin – Incidental music (Capriccio)
(Déjà Review) A superbly executed realisation of Prokofiev’s Onegin incidental music [JL]
Alkan: Organ Works Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
(Déjà Review) Works of stature and originality … a strong recommendation [PCW]
Beethoven: String Quartets, Opp 127 & 132 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Beautifully paced, flawlessly executed [KS]
Bendix: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Danacord)
(Déjà Review) Bendix wrote some extremely beautiful and moving music [JF]
Dvořák: Symphony No 9 & Cello Concerto (Archipel)
(Déjà Review) Sample the slow movement of the New World and hear a magician at work [JW]
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerti (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Some fleet playing but 2 & 3 are too superficial to make the cycle recommendable as a whole [CH]
Onslow: Symphonies 1 & 3 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Onslow’s is a voice that should be heard and not simply in relation to other bigger names [JW]
Chopin: Etudes (Harmonia Mundi)
Chiu possesses a melting tone and a high level of musicianship [CC]
Foulds: Three Mantras (Warner Classics)
Deserves wide appreciation among general music lovers [JT]
Bacewicz: Works for Violin and Piano (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A splendid opportunity to get to grips with a large body of Bacewicz’s chamber music [JW]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 8-11 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) A fresh viewpoint, though not everything convinces [CC]
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (RCA)
(Déjà Review) If you don’t have a favorite recording already, this is a disc that you should consider [PG]
Dallapiccola : Orchestral Works (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Masterpieces of lyrical serial music that just demand to be discovered [JF]
Beethoven, Mendelssohn: Violin Concerti (Philips)
(Déjà Review) Will irritate as many as it will thrill [TH]