Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

dvorak quintets mdg

Dvořák: Quintets (MDG)

(Déjà Review) Hugely impressive performances from first note to last [MC]

Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Bk1 Fellner ECM-1853-54-4760482

Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 (ECM New Series)

(Déjà Review) Lean textures, subtle intensity, and exceptional detail of inner voices and the interplay among voices [DS]

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Bach: Cantatas Vol. 24 (BIS)

(Déjà Review) A very special disc [CC]

Chopin: Preludes, Piano Sonata No. 2 (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) The cumulative power of the Preludes make this, for some, the greatest performance of the work ever recorded [JL]

Brahms: The Sextets (Signum Classics)

(Déjà Review) Few performances are fresher [CC]

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Beach: Symphony, Piano Concerto (Naxos)

A brilliant bargain performance of Amy Beach’s two major orchestral works – snap it up [NH]

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Beethoven: Symphonies 1 and 6 (Elatus)

(Déjà Review) Mravinsky’s Beethoven is revealed to be of considerable importance, and completely idiomatic [CH]

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Shostakovich/Auerbach: String Quartets (Capriccio)

(Déjà Review) The programming shows real individuality; the recording is top-drawer and the playing first-class [CC]

Dyson: Symphony, Concerto da chiesa (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Lloyd-Jones makes something very special of the concerto, and the other pieces are really very well done [RB]

Arnold: Wind Chamber Music (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Sir Malcolm is in his element here and I was with him all the way [MC]

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Beethoven/Brahms: Variations (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Tanyel’s playful Beethoven and loving Brahms make for a very attractive coupling [DS]

Albeniz Iberia Hamelin Hyperion CDA67476-77

Albéniz: Iberia (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Sweep and clarity as well as Hamelin’s special brand of architectural understanding [JW]

bach alto cantatas naxos

Bach: Sacred Cantatas for Alto (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A wonderful recording in all respects [DS]

Shostakovich: Piano Quintet & Trio (Warner Elatus)

(Déjà Review) A highly recommendable performance of two of the last century’s major chamber works [KS]

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Massenet: Werther (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) This issue will be prized by admirers of the two principals, but there are drawbacks [CH]

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Cliffe: Symphony 1 (Sterling)

Amazing how music of such power and lyricism can lie lost and unperformed for so many years [IL]

Berwald Symphonies Goodman Hyperion Dyad CDD22043

Berwald: Symphonies and Overtures (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Deeply rewarding lyrical statements [RB]

Mahler: Symphony 6 (SFS Media)

(Déjà Review) A Mahler 6 with contemporary resonance, superbly played and recorded, that competes with the best [TD]

Smetana: Má Vlast (Supraphon)

(Déjà Review) Ančerl and his wonderful orchestra are the ‘real thing’ – buy, hear and believe! [PJL]

Peacock Pie (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A delightful release which is a joy from first to last [HC]

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Ataúlfo Argenta (conductor) (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lisztians need to hear Argenta’s Faust; his El Amor Brujo is perhaps the best ever [RB]

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Schoenberg: Gurrelieder (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Recorded just a week after 9/11, this stunning performance heralds a new era for Rattle in Berlin [CT]

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Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) If you have any interest in the music of Vaughan Williams this is an almost mandatory purchase [SF][PC]

Korngold: Sinfonietta, Violin Concerto (Dorian)

(Déjà Review) A classic of recorded sound [RB]