Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

chadwick orchestral reference

Chadwick: Orchestral Works (Reference Recordings)

(Déjà Review) Fine rare repertoire and typically sprung, lively sound with power and subtlety aplenty [RB]

puccini manon scotto

Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Deutsche Grammophon)

(In Memoriam Déjà Review) Forget the limitations of this early video transcript and glory in Puccini’s music and the committed acting and singing [RJF]

Messiaen : Organ works (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A celebration of one of the significant major bodies of music of the 20th century [GPJ]

Stojowski: Piano Concertos (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Two marvellous, scandalously neglected romantic piano concertos [JQ]

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2 (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Impressively powerful; a coupling that is stimulating and generous [TH]

Canteloube & Emmanuel: Songs of the Auvergne (Erato)

(Déjà Review) A languid approach with lovely singing from Upshaw [RB]

Haydn syms 99925

Haydn: Complete symphonies (Brilliant Classics)

Energy and perception suffuse this life-enhancing project [CA]

Janacek orch RR2103

Janacek: Orchestral works (Reference Recordings)

The Serebrier Sinfonietta remains a top recommendation [RB]

Bliss String Qu 1 Maggini Naxos 8.557108

Bliss: String Quartet 1 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An interesting and worthwhile issue in every way [TB]

Handel Tamerlano Pinnock Avie AV0001

Handel: Tamerlano (Avie)

(Déjà Review) A great work which deserves to be discovered or rediscovered through this fine set [KM]

Leifs hekla BISCD1030

Leifs: Orchestral works (BIS)

Extraordinary music of real individuality [RB]

grieg peer gynt sony

Grieg: Peer Gynt (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) A hugely enjoyable selection, and an ear-opener for those who only know the familiar suites [TH]

Bach: Complete Flute Sonatas (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A superb overview of Bach’s chamber music for flute [KM]

Arnold: English Dances & other works (Decca)

(Déjà Review) A miracle of economy, clarity and efficiency – Arnold at his best [HC]

Mahler: Symphony 9 (Dutton)

(Déjà Review) Anyone interested in the history of this symphony needs to have at least one version of this recording [TD]

Hasse: Mass (Berlin Classics)

(Déjà Review) Hasse’s final work, while sounding more like an opera than a mass, is beautiful indeed [KM]

Handel arminio 5454612

Handel: Arminio (Erato)

All Handel lovers will want to own this, the first recording of Arminio [KM]

davis simple man opus arte

Davis: A Simple Man (Opus Arte)

(In Memoriam Déjà Review) Must be among his best scores [AB]

A Beethoven Concert LSO Solti Arthaus Musik 100148 DVD

A Beethoven Concert (Arthaus Musik)

(Déjà Review) Subtle direction of the camera work adds to the very fine performances [SF]

Coates British Light Music Naxos 8.110173

Coates: Orchestral works (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Performances that shine through the old recorded sound [JL]

berlioz troyens lso

Berlioz: Les Troyens (LSO Live)

(Déjà Review) The finest opera CD I have heard this year [MB]

debussy piano ogawa bis

Debussy: Piano Music Vol. 1 (BIS)

(Déjà Review) The unique sound-world of Debussy is delivered with the utmost conviction [TB]

Bax: Violin Concerto, Symphony No. 3 (Dutton)

(Déjà Review) De rigueur addition for all Baxians and an antidote to the sleepy sloppy school of Baxian interpretation [RB]

Buxtehude: Harpsichord Music Vol. 1 (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) Excellently performed, perfectly recorded, and played on a delightful instrument [KM]