Déjà Reviews
Re-published reviews from the archive
Martin: Tripytchon (ECM)
An extremely high quality product which deserves recognition [CR]
Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine (Warner Classics)
Soggy tempos and slack pacing entirely fail to convince [RH]
Korngold: Symphony and The Sea Hawk (Delos)
(Déjà Review) As good as it gets [CF]
Turnage: Greek (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Whether uncomfortable or not this remains essential listening for lovers of contemporary music theatre [TH]
Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (Naxos)
The cast as a whole makes this the best set so far [GF]
Dufay: The Court of Savoy (Hyperion)
Superb and convincing [MS]
Anderson: Orchestral Music Vol. 5 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Undeservedly neglected light music [IL]
Bach: Three Cantatas (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A mature artist who patently comprehends the beauty and purity of the music [MMB]
Janáček: Jenufa (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra [RH]
Schubert: Symphony No 9 & Mendelssohn: Die Schöne Melusina (Elatus)
(Déjà Review) A stunning classic recording, reissued in a sensible pairing – a must-have! [PSh]
Paer: Sofonisba (Opera Rara)
A wholly admirable performance of a significant opera composer who was active immediately before Rossini [RJF]
Carl Schuricht in New York (Archipel)
Schuricht leads the Vienna orchestra with surety and command [JW]
Martinů: Julietta (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Surreal music drama defying operatic convention, illuminated by Martinů’s gorgeous yet poetically fastidious palette [RB]
Ligeti: Ligeti Project Vol 1-3 (Teldec)
(Déjà Review) A beguiling combination of clarity and sheer weirdness. Whether a Ligeti fan or not, heartily recommended – a rare sonic experience! [TH]
Coates: Orchestral Works (Lyrita)
(Déjà Review) One of the most handsome Coates collections [RB]
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A superb rendition of the opera [RMg]
Alwyn: Elizabethan Dances, Oboe Concerto, Aphrodite in Aulis (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Two premiere recordings at bargain cost and generally excellent performances [JW]
Beethoven: Piano Concerti No.4-5 (Regis)
(Déjà Review) Classic accounts of Beethoven that demand to be heard [CC]
Barber: Piano Concerto (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A series of recordings that has gone from unusual and interesting to groundbreaking and formidable [KS]
Takemitsu: A String Around Autumn (BIS)
(Déjà Review) It is reassuring that in so ephemeral and vulgar a society as ours, music such as this still holds evident value [TB]
J S Bach: Mass in B minor (Tahra)
A living text; a source of drama and commitment [JW]
Franck & Chausson: Symphonies (Pentatone)
A version of the Franck Symphony that matches the great versions of the past [CH]
Tubin: The Symphonies (BIS)
(Déjà Review) An epic pilgrimage of the spirit [RB]
Kilar: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Marco Polo)
(Déjà Review) Played with commitment and passion [GH]
