Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Deja Review RVW Film Music v1 Chandos CHAN 10007

Vaughan Williams: Film Music, Vol 1 (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Thrilling, evocative performances captured in the best Chandos sound. Especially important for presenting the full score of Scott of the Antarctic [IL]

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Schulhoff: Chamber works Vol 2 (Supraphon)

Repeated listening to these Schulhoff scores offers revelatory rewards [MC]

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Nelson Freire (piano) Schumann: Carnaval, Papillons, Kinderszenen (Decca)

Freire enthusiasts should love the performances, sound deficiencies or not [DS]

Martinů: The Six Symphonies (BIS)

(Déjà Review) A well documented, brilliantly recorded, excellently played and broadly sympathetic set of readings [JW]

Mussorgsky: Symphonic Transcriptions (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Whatever superlatives you hear about this disc I urge you to believe them [MC]

Telemann: Don Quixote Suite (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Pure delight, this. Buy it [KS] – Thoroughly enjoyable fare. This is a most approachable coupling. [CC] 

Riisager: Ballet Music (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) Brilliantly orchestrated and balanced – moving forward in a blizzard of detail; the very antithesis of drab [RB]

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Hoffmann: Chamber Music (cpo)

Be surprised by the restraint and elegance of Hoffmann’s chamber music [DS]

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Mozart: Fantasias & Sonatas (Apex)

Absolutely first-rate Mozart keyboard playing [PSh]

Deja Review Holmboe Symphs 4-5 BIS CD572

Holmboe: Symphonies Nos 4 and 5 (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Densely coiled and symphonically argued with the highest of skill … charts a grim and determined course [JW]

Deja Review Skempton Piano Works Sony SMK89617

Skempton: Piano works (Sony Classical)

A lovely disc of an under-rated British composer’s music, superbly played and recorded [NH]

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Englund: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 (Ondine)

Another indispensable addition to the Englund discography from Ondine [RB]

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Handel: Arias for mezzo soprano (Apex)

This music springs to life as Handel’s operatic music rarely does [CH]

Beethoven: Piano Concerti 4 & 5 (Hänssler Classic)

(Déjà Review) Admirers of this great German pianist should certainly snap this up [JQ]

Bantock: Orchestral Works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Full-blooded, romantic readings of more exotic Bantock [IL]

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Arambarri: Orchestral works (Claves)

Arambarri has the charm and freshness of Guridi and Canteloube [RB]

Deja Review MacMillan Birds of Rhiannon Chandos CHAN9997

MacMillan: The Birds of Rhiannon (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) A highly recommended collection of works for choir and orchestra by MacMillan, magnificently performed under the direction of the composer [CT]

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British Recorder Concertos (Dutton)

(Déjà Review) Well-planned, varied and superbly played … pure joy from first to last [HC]

Ernst Wilhelm Wolf: Four Symphonies (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Wolf can attain depths of expression that seem to post-date his period [CC]

Telemann: Six Concertos for Two Flutes (MSR Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lovers of the baroque flute and “Telemaniacs” will wish to investigate these well-played world premières [PCW]

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Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Atma Classique)

One of the freshest and most uplifting interpretations I have come across for a very long time [GF]

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Holmboe: Symphonies Nos 1, 3 and 10 (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Superbly cogent works performed with stunning intelligence, tonal blend, sectional discipline and conductorly flair [JW]

gesualdo madrigals cpo

Gesualdo: Madrigals (cpo)

(Déjà Review) Harry van der Kamp who directs and sings has done a wonderful job with these works [GH]

Mozart: Haffner Serenade, Bella mia fiamma (Profil)

(Déjà Review) Wand’s devotion plays itself out in these elegant performances [KS]