Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Martinů: Double Concerto (Apex)

Some sound issues, but on a purely artistic level these are pretty compelling performances [TH]

Dvorak Slavonic Dances Harnoncourt Teldec 8573810382

Dvorák: Slavonic Dances (Teldec)

(Déjà Review) Performance and recording superb. Recommended, but Sejna’s Supraphon issue is the genuine article [JP]

Deja Review Rawsthorne Film Music Chandos CHAN9749

Rawsthorne: The Film Music (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Highly recommended to film music fans and admirers of English 20th Century music, particularly of Alan Rawsthorne [PC] [GSD]

english piano quartets meridian

English Piano Quartets (Meridian)

(Déjà Review) A classic and generous collection of rare English chamber music [RB]

liszt via crucis hortus

Liszt: Via Crucis (Hortus)

(Déjà Review) Highly dynamic and powerful performances, extremely well-recorded in stunning sound [PSh]

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An unmissable bargain, which I cannot recommend highly enough [JQ]

Medtner: The Complete Piano Sonatas (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) The strongest recommendation [RB]

Elgar: Enigma Variations (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) Certainly an item to add to your collection, both for the visuals and the splendid performance [KS]

Chavez: Complete Symphonies (Vox)

(Déjà Review) An impressive clutch of serious and vigorously-driven symphonies from Mexico resoundingly recorded [RB]

Barber concertos 82876658322

Barber: Concertos (RCA)

Seventy-nine minutes’ worth of pure musical pleasure [GPJ]

Brahms beethoven RCO05002

Beethoven & Brahms: Symphonies (RCO Live)

One of the finest orchestral discs to have come my way for a very long time [JQ]

Deja Review Schoenberg Pelleas und Melisande de Waart ABC 4545142

Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande and Five Orchestral Pieces (ABC Classics)

(Déjà Review) A magnificent disc showing both the route that Schoenberg did not take, and, triumphantly, the one that he did [DBi]

Deja Review Sibelius Symphs etc Berglund EMI 5744852

Sibelius: Complete Symphonies and Selected Orchestral Works (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) One of the greatest symphonic cycles under a conductor who shows a deep understanding and profound identification with it [CH]

20C flute centaur

20th Century Works for Flute and Orchestra (Centaur)

(Déjà Review) A delightful anthology … tunefulness and brevity [HC]

mozart debussy songs ecm

Debussy & Mozart: Songs (ECM)

(Déjà Review) Banse’s subtle, dark-toned soprano is ideal for this material [TH]

Auric: Beauty and the Beast (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A most desirable release recommended to film buffs and anyone with interest in 20th Century French music [HC]

Bach: Piano Transcriptions Volume 5 (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Milne’s playing also reflects his love of this demanding yet rewarding repertoire [TB]

Sibelius: Rondo of the Waves (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Exalted performance values and rare vintage Sibelius [RB]

Pärt: Passio (St John Passion) (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Spotless intonation, and a clear sense of the rhythmic ebb and flow, world class [KS]

Sculthorpe cello TP136

Sculthorpe: Music for Cello (Tall Poppies)

If you don’t know Sculthorpe, you should and this disc would provide an ideal introduction [NHo]

Schubert mayrhofer2 8554739

Schubert: Mayrhofer Lieder Vol 2 (Naxos)

Intimacy in music encapsulated on a small circle of plastic – remarkable and breathtaking [SA]

Poulenc Stabat Mater Opus Arte OA 0817D

Poulenc: Stabat Mater and Litanies à la Vierge Noire (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) A moving, compelling document regarding some of this unique composer’s finest music [GPJ]

Respighi Belkis Queen of Sheba Oue Ref Rec RR95CD

Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba Suite and The Pines of Rome (Reference Recordings)

(Déjà Review) The exotic Respighi – contrasts the little known with the very well known. Recommended [AB]

meulemans orchestral phaedra

Meulemans: Orchestral Works (Phaedra)

Well-crafted and superbly scored works in which Meulemans’ orchestral flair and mastery are clearly displayed [HC]