Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

brewer arias chandos

Christine Brewer (soprano) Great Operatic Arias (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Chandos’s faith in Brewer has been justified, completely and utterly [CC]

mantovani request guild

Mantovani By Special Request Vol. 2 (Guild)

A fascinating disc as it gives us an opportunity to appreciate the wider aspects of Mantovani’s art [RH]

Prokofiev: Piano Concerti (Danacord)

(Déjà Review) This fine addition to the discography could well be your first choice [JF]

Schwantner: Orchestral works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Superb, immaculate and committed playing by all concerned, making the best of this strongly communicative music [HC]

Mozart: Concertos (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Definitely one to own – it’s not often that “new” Mozart pieces become available [JR]

Madetoja: Intimate Garden (Alba)

(Déjà Review) Played by a fine advocate well attuned to the music and its endearingly soft melancholia [RB]

Donizetti favorite apex

Donizetti: La Favorite (Apex)

(Déjà Review) A bargain price introduction to an opera that has all the virtues of Donizetti’s melodic invention [RJF]

Goldmark qts CD93077

Goldmark & Mendelssohn: String Quartets (Hänssler Classic)

(Déjà Review) Wonderfully poised & stylish accounts [CF]

Deja Review Mahler Symph 6 Herbig Berlin Classics 0094612BC

Mahler: Symphony No 6 (Berlin Classics)

(Déjà Review) One of the very best recordings of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony available [TD]

Deja Review Norgard Symphony 6 Chandos CHAN 9904

Nørgård: Symphony No 6 and Terrains Vagues (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Committed and recommendable performances of these far from easy works, with wholehearted support from an orchestra in top form [HC]

bruckner symphony profil

Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Profil)

(Déjà Review) A winner through and through and worthy of any collection [KS]

bryars lasso gb

Bryars: Oi Me Lasso (GB Records)

(Déjà Review) Endlessly fascinating and haunting [RH]

Beethoven: String Quartets, Op 18 Nos 1 and 4 (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) Quatuor Mosaïques are an astonishing ensemble who deserve the utmost praise for these magnificent performances [MC]

Bomtempo: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) One work holds up quite well to the Haydn and Mozart models, and the other is close to being a masterpiece of early romanticism [DS]

Beethoven: Symphony No 9 (Music & Arts)

(Déjà Review) Harshly recorded, but for some Toscanini enthusiasts it is the greatest of his preserved Ninths [CH]

Alwyn: Symphonies Nos 2 & 5 and Harp Concerto (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) The best single CD introduction to the major works of Alwyn [RB]

Baltic1 voices HMU907311

Baltic Voices 1 (Harmonia Mundi)

Lyrical yet challenging, they welcome the listener with open arms [RB]

Carmina burana 8554837

Carmina Burana: Medieval Poems and Songs (Naxos)

Everything is played with a life and energy that left me dancing around the room by the disc’s end [KS]

Deja Review Harris Symphs 7 9- Naxos 8.559050

Harris: Symphonies Nos 7 & 9 (Naxos)

Serious, but highly listenable music from an under-recorded American giant [NH]

Deja Review Saint Saens Piano Concertos Hough Hyperion CDA67331-2

Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos 1-5 (Hyperion)

A credit to this brave and enterprising label. Go on, treat yourself – you won’t regret it [TH]

stevenson songs delphian

Stevenson: Songs (Delphian)

(Déjà Review) Depth and thoughtfulness, amplifying, refracting and complementing the poets’ lines in a way that enriches and moves [JW]

strauss domestica arte nova

R Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica (Arte Nova Classics)

(Déjà Review) Refreshing, highlighting the invention and vivacity [RBr]

Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A disc to return to many, many times [CC]

Vasks: Symphony No.2, Violin Concerto (Ondine )

(Déjà Review) Two rewarding lyrical works [RB]