Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Donizetti naxos866022223

Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (Naxos)

The cast as a whole makes this the best set so far [GF]

Dufay savoy CDA67715

Dufay: The Court of Savoy (Hyperion)

Superb and convincing [MS]

Anderson: Orchestral Music Vol. 5 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Undeservedly neglected light music [IL]

Bach: Three Cantatas (Erato)

(Déjà Review) A mature artist who patently comprehends the beauty and purity of the music [MMB]

Janáček: Jenufa (Erato)

(Déjà Review) A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra [RH]

Schubert: Symphony No 9 & Mendelssohn: Die Schöne Melusina (Elatus)

(Déjà Review) A stunning classic recording, reissued in a sensible pairing – a must-have! [PSh]

Paer sofonisba ORR237

Paer: Sofonisba (Opera Rara)

A wholly admirable performance of a significant opera composer who was active immediately before Rossini [RJF]

Schuricht NY ARPCD0352

Carl Schuricht in New York (Archipel)

Schuricht leads the Vienna orchestra with surety and command [JW]

Martinu Julietta Supraphon 1081762613

Martinů: Julietta (Supraphon)

(Déjà Review) Surreal music drama defying operatic convention, illuminated by Martinů’s gorgeous yet poetically fastidious palette [RB]

Ligeti Vol 1

Ligeti: Ligeti Project Vol 1-3 (Teldec)

(Déjà Review) A beguiling combination of clarity and sheer weirdness. Whether a Ligeti fan or not, heartily recommended – a rare sonic experience! [TH]

coates orchestral lyrita

Coates: Orchestral Works (Lyrita)

(Déjà Review) One of the most handsome Coates collections [RB]

debussy pelleas warner

Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) A superb rendition of the opera [RMg]

Alwyn: Elizabethan Dances, Oboe Concerto, Aphrodite in Aulis (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Two premiere recordings at bargain cost and generally excellent performances [JW]

Beethoven: Piano Concerti No.4-5 (Regis)

(Déjà Review) Classic accounts of Beethoven that demand to be heard [CC]

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]

Bach TahraTAH61819

J S Bach: Mass in B minor (Tahra)

A living text; a source of drama and commitment [JW]

Franck Chausson PTC5186078

Franck & Chausson: Symphonies (Pentatone)

A version of the Franck Symphony that matches the great versions of the past [CH]

Tubin Symphs N Jarvi BIS 1402-04

Tubin: The Symphonies (BIS)

(Déjà Review) An epic pilgrimage of the spirit [RB]

Kilar Film Music Marco Polo 8.225153

Kilar: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Marco Polo)

(Déjà Review) Played with commitment and passion [GH]

vine piano tall poppies

Vine: The Piano Music 1990-2006 (Tall Poppies)

(Déjà Review) An impressive, irreversible strength to the works on this disc [DC]

amorous cavendish etcetera

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]