Déjà Reviews
Re-published reviews from the archive
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]
Vine: The Piano Music 1990-2006 (Tall Poppies)
(Déjà Review) An impressive, irreversible strength to the works on this disc [DC]
Amorous in Music (Et’cetera)
(Déjà Review) Plenty of variety here and quite some historical frisson as well [JW]
Stravinsky: The Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring (Deux-Elles)
(Déjà Review) Exciting recordings that throw new light on the originals, and absorbing in their own right [GPu]
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos 7-9 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) This developing series is a triumph for the São Paulo Symphony, Roberto Minczuk and the BIS engineers [DH]
Fibich: Symphonies Nos 1-3 (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Enthusiastically recommended to lovers of romantic symphonies [CH]
Piston: Symphonies Nos 2 & 6 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) The merit of this distinguished 1988 recording, in its new incarnation, burns just as brightly [JW]
Puccini: La Bohème (Opus Arte)
(Déjà Review) A cinematographic representation helped by the stunning sets and Mula’s Mimi [RJF]
Röntgen: Symphony No. 3 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A fine start to cpo’s Röntgen symphony series [RB]
Vivaldi: Late Violin Concertos (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) These are magnificent accounts to cherish. A must for lovers of late baroque music [MC]
Shostakovich: The Fall of Berlin & The Unforgettable Year 1919 (Marco Polo)
(Déjà Review) Overall, the playing is polished and expressive and the sound of pleasingly warm ambience [DK]
Rachmaninov: Music for Two Pianos (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) More delicate and finely nuanced readings of these pieces are very hard to find [TP]
R Strauss: Suites (COE Records)
(Déjà Review) Leinsdorf makes a splendid case for these two rewarding suites [TB]
Mozart: Piano Concerti No.17, 21 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Tremendous, life-affirming Mozart playing, marking Pollini’s welcome return to this territory [CC]
Offenbach: Romantique (Archiv Produktion)
(Déjà Review) A delightful collection, with some lesser-known material [RW]
Roussel: Symphonies Nos 2-4 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) As incisive a trio of conductors as you could wish at this price range [JW]
Granados: Goyescas Piano Suite, El Pelele (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) To put it simply, this is the finest recording of music for guitars that I have ever heard [KS]
Foulds: Dynamic Triptych (Warner Classics)
Sensational, often exhilarating, music, given sensational, sensitive and radiant performances [EML]
Handel: Arias (Sony Classical)
Another highly attractive addition to my already impressive collection of present-day mezzos [GF]
