Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Browne choirbook CDGIM036

Browne: Music from the Eton Choirbook (Gimell)

Near perfect music from the late fifteenth century sung in glorious style [JF]

Bruckner sym5 G010003192493A

Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 (RCA)

Harnoncourt’s remarkable vision of this great symphonic master [TB]

Tveitt Hundred Hardanger Tunes Naxos 8.555770

Tveitt: A Hundred Hardanger Tunes Suites Nos 2 & 5 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Between Engeset and the RSNO, this music is coaxed into shape without effort or artificiality. Highly recommended [GH]

Atterberg Piano Concerto CPO 9997322

Atterberg: Piano Concerto (cpo)

(Déjà Review) A feast for unashamed romantics. Grand Romantic, heart-on-sleeve stuff, over the top music, delivered in bravura performances [IL]

couperin lecons bis

F Couperin: Leçons de Ténèbres (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Music-making of a high order [RH]

donizetti elvida opera rara

Donizetti: Elvida (Opera Rara)

(Déjà Review) I strongly recommend all lovers of the composer’s music and the bel canto genre to add it to their collections [RJF]

bach fantasia hyperion

Bach: Keyboard Works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A significant series, a laudable one, and there’s no lessening in perception in this final volume [JW]

buxtehude organ dacapo

Buxtehude: Complete Organ Works Vol. 2 (Da Capo)

(Déjà Review) Phenomenally relaxed and efficient technique on the most challenging of organs [CB]

Britten: Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, Nocturne, Phaedra (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Overall a superlative disc, with flawless and very characterful performances [EML]

Beethoven: Overtures (Elatus)

(Déjà Review) There’s some great music here, so go and treat yourself [TH]

Bach sonatas AN29829

Bach: Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord Vol. 1 (Analekta)

A disc that will have pride of place on my shelf and one that is sure to get repeated listening [KS]

Hahn VC PC Maguelone MAG 111.106

Hahn: Violin Concerto & Piano Concerto (Maguelone)

(Déjà Review) A truly enchanting album calculated to chase away the winter blues [IL]

biber artificiosa archiv

Biber: Harmonia artificiosa (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) It will be very difficult to find a performance which more convincingly explores these brilliant compositions [JV]

maisky argerich deutsche grammophon

Mischa Maisky (cello) & Martha Argerich (piano) In Concert (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A magnificent triumph for all concerned [CC]

Shostakovich: Chamber Symphonies (BIS)

(Déjà Review) This is a challenging and absorbing listening experience [PJL]

A Scarlatti: The Cecilian Vespers (Avie)

(Déjà Review) The most exciting high baroque choral vocal music you will hear anywhere [PSh]

Reich trains MO782167

Reich: Different trains, Triple Quartet, The Four Sections (Naïve)

A must-have for any serious music lover [KS]

Engish Guitar Concertos Ogden Chandos CHAN9963

English Guitar Concertos (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) The strong personality of dedicatee Julian Bream is ever present, but Ogden more than rises to the task. A fine disc [AD]

messiaen vingt regards rca

Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur L’Enfant-Jésus (RCA)

(Déjà Review) A recording notable for Serkin’s deep understanding of the composer’s sound-world and its emotional extremes [BH]

busoni sonatinas centaur

Busoni: Sonatinas (Centaur)

(Déjà Review) Slotchiver is an ardent disciple of Busoni and her playing is authoritative [CSS]

Dupré: Organ Works Volume 6 (MDG)

(Déjà Review) Recommended without reserve – player, music and instrument are perfectly matched [GS]

Canteloube: Chants d’Auvergne (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) I’ve little doubt it will be the definitive version for many years to come [AO]

Brahms sym1 8557428

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 (Naxos)

Alsop’s Brahms series has gotten off to an excellent start [PCW]

RStrauss Ariadne Auf Naxos Sinopoli DG 4713232

R Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A reminder of all the strengths of this cruelly-underrated conductor/composer. Certainly, this is a major addition to the Strauss discography [CC]