Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Diamond: Symphony No.3 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Fresh, devoted performances of music fully worthy of continued attention [CC]

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Balada: Orchestral works (Naxos)

The most immediately appealing of the three Naxos/Balada discs I’ve reviewed [HC]

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Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 (RCA)

A legendary, visionary version of the sonata, but don’t make this your only version of the concerto [CH]

Bach Goldberg Variations Leonhardt 1978 DHM 82876601462

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)

(Déjà Review) This really is sitting at the feet of the master [PW]

Barber Knoxville Naxos 8559134

Barber: Orchestral Works Vol 5 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Very fine indeed – Knoxville is a particularly conspicuous success [JQ]

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Shostakovich: Symphonies 13-15 (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) Not comfortable listening but some of the greatest written in the 20th century [GPJ]

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Villa-Lobos: Chôros 1-7 (ASV)

(Déjà Review) Close your eyes and conjure your own veranda [RB]

Rorem: Symphonies No. 1-3 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Three remarkable and previously unrecorded American Symphonies from a composer more noted for his vocal music [PSh]

Puccini: Le Villi (naïve)

(Déjà Review) Not just for anoraks, this is a marvellous introduction to Puccini [CF]

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas 5, 6 & 9 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) I was captivated with Glemser’s playing which emphasises the lyrical and romantic side [GH]

Lalo: Complete Piano Trios (MDG)

(Déjà Review) This is a most beautiful and appealing release, guaranteed to please chamber music lovers [MC]

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Delibes: Coppelia (Apex)

(Déjà Review) Nagano has such an infectious way with this score that makes it very hard to resist [TH]

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Liszt: Piano works (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A fine choice for those who enjoy their Liszt stirred, not shaken [MM]

Bach Goldberg Variations Barenboim Elatus 2564600102

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Warner Elatus)

(Déjà Review) Excellent interpretations of these great works [KM]

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N Berg: Song of Songs & Symphony No 4 (Phono Suecia)

(Déjà Review) A warming chance to sample the music of Berg the Swedish romantic [RB]

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Brahms: String Quartets (Hänssler Classic)

(Déjà Review) No lover of fine chamber music should be without this disc [KS]

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Bridge: Orchestral Works (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) An authoritative introduction to Bridge’s orchestral music … an ideal place to start [JQ]

Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (Naxos Historical)

(Déjà Review) Spiritual engagement of the profoundest kind [JW]

Tučapský: Concertos (SOMM Recordings)

(Déjà Review) The sort of disc which makes reviewing ‘peripheral’ repertoire a joy [RB]

Frankel: Complete Symphonies (cpo)

(Déjà Review) Frankel’s symphonies have now – at long last – been given their due [HC]

Dvořák: Symphony No 9, Serenade for Strings (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) Anyone who is more interested in genuine music-making rather than state-of–the-art sound will not be disappointed [TH]

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Bliss: String Quartets (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Another fine collection to the Maggini’s growing catalogue of English chamber music [NHo]

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Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (RCA)

(Déjà Review) Distinction and commitment, sonorous and urgently compelling [TB]

Vivaldi Four Seasons Fabio Biondi Erato 6025032

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Erato)

(Déjà Review) An amazingly dramatic, rock and roll rendition of the Four Seasons [KM]