Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

cras piano timpani

Cras: Piano Works (Timpani)

(Déjà Review) Folk-like simplicity redolent of folk song … a beautifully atmospheric seascape [HC]

Verdi: Falstaff (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Truly one of the ‘Great Recordings of the Century’ [CF]

Woolrich: The Ghost in the Machine (NMC)

(Déjà Review) Woolrich definitely has things to say and knows how to say them in the musically most satisfying way [HC]

Langgaard: Symphonies No.6, 7 & 8 (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) Langgaard was the true heir of Wagner and Strauss [TB]

Dvořák: Symphonies 8 & 9 (Philips)

(Déjà Review) Fischer and his colleagues enter a very competitive field and offer extremely fine versions of both symphonies which must now be counted among the best available [JQ]

Alkan vol1 8555495

Alkan: Piano Music Vol. 1 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Any pianist who can play these works with such deep understanding as Ringeissen, is a rare bird, and must be treasured [RBr]

Bartok kubelik C551011

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra (Orfeo)

(Déjà Review) Splendid performances that could hardly be bettered [IL]

Schubert Lieder v2 Bostridge Warner 5571412

Schubert: Lieder Vol 2 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Bostridge is surely worthy of a position in the same illustrious gallery as Fischer-Dieskau, Janet Baker and a few others [TB]

Tveitt Hardanger Tunes Suites 1&4 Naxos 8.555078

Tveitt: Hardanger Tunes, Suites 1 & 4 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Engeset coaxes this gorgeous material into shape without effort or artificiality [GH]

boccherini string quintets mdg

Boccherini: String Quintets (MDG)

(Déjà Review) All praise to Ensemble Concertant Frankfurt, who play this little-known music with skill, imagination and true stylistic understanding [TB]

mascagni cavalleria rusticana naxos

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Mascagni is a powerful advocate of his own music – his fluid, dramatic reading is filled with moving moments and telling detail [FC]

Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht, Chamber Symphony No. 2 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Anyone who believes that Schoenberg is approachable only for the specialist listener should hear this disc [TB]

Stanford: Songs Vol. 2 (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A good representation of the strength and variety of the central, most important, part of Stanford’s career [CH]

Grechaninov: Symphony No.3 (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) The strongest of the Grechaninov CDs from Chandos – the cantata is a work of the greatest virtue [RB]

Debussy: Night in Granada (Cala)

(Déjà Review) An important addition to the Debussy discography [IL]

Bach Vol12 NI56478

Bach: Organ Music Vol. 12 (Nimbus)

(Déjà Review) No Bach lover should be without some of Kevin Bowyer’s recordings of this perennially fascinating music [PGW]

Bottesini DBass 9996652

Bottesini: Double Bass Concertos (cpo)

(Déjà Review) The performances have fire, commitment and eloquence, and will surely convince even the most sceptical of listeners [TB]

bach arias archiv

Bach: Arias (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) A splendid disc with an exceptional new voice that you should hear

gerber orchestral chandos

Gerber: Orchestral Works (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) A group of first recordings that deserves to do well [JP]

saint-saens chamber apex

Saint-Saëns: Chamber Works (Apex)

(Déjà Review) Simply wonderful chamber works superbly performed [MC]

simpson symphony hyperion

Simpson: Symphony 11 (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) This release, appropriately dedicated to the late Ted Perry, is up to Hyperion’s best [HC]

Mendelssohn: Piano Sonatas (Harmonia Mundi)

(Déjà Review) Chiu’s playing is interesting and sensitive … the most obvious choice for a single disc of Mendelssohn’s sonatas [PCW]

Müller: Chamber Works (Capriccio)

(Déjà Review) My first meeting with Müller and I hope it won’t be my last … music which is animated, warm and intriguing [JW]

Elgar: Cello Concerto (Hallé)

(Déjà Review) A masterly reading of a great score … Elder draws stunning playing from the Hallé [GPJ]