bliss pristine

Bliss conducts Bliss (Pristine Audio)

Two important works, well performed under the baton of the composer [JF]

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Williams: Orchestral Works (Resonus)

A programme full of attractive and highly imaginative music which is well worth getting to know [JQ]

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Bach: Goldberg variations (Azure Sky)

Well played but very closely and reverberantly recorded, and somewhat anonymous, while the absence of repeats makes it sound truncated [RMo]

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Śmietański: Chamber Music (Acte Préalable)

The trio is certainly worthy of your time and attention, the sonata less so [RHa]

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Christine Walevska (cello) The Beauty and the Bow (Rhine Classics)

The admirable cellist Christine Walevska traced over 50 years of performances and recordings [JW]

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Donizetti: L’aio nell’imbarazzo (Naxos)

Not a forgotten masterwork but an early comedy worth rescuing from almost total oblivion for 200 years [GF]

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Schubert: Winterreise (Orchid Classics)

An extraordinary recording debut: a self-accompanied recording of Winterreise which proves to be much more than just a gimmick [PT]

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Grainger: The Warriors (Cala)

(Déjà Review) High excitement, earthy vitality and superbly recorded sound [MC]

The Charm of the Lyre-Guitar (Brilliant Classics)

A disc which evokes a significant cultural phenomenon from Napoleonic France [GPu]

Endless Fascination: The life and work of Thomas Pitfield (Forsyth Brothers)

A fitting tribute to a remarkable polymath [JF]

Donizetti: Grand Seigneur – Baritone Arias (Dynamic)

A valuable collection of rarely heard scenes from Donizetti’s operas [GF]

Zelenka: Missa Gratias agimus tibi, Vesper music (Carus)

Another testimony to Zelenka’s brilliance [JV]

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Beethoven: Symphonies 1 & 5 (Janus Classics)

Clean, crisp, immediate interpretations, very well restored and remastered [RMo]

Machaut: A lover’s death (Hyperion)

Achieved is the glorious work: The Orlando Consort sign off from Machaut [PH]

Mussorgsky & Rachmaninov: Piano Works (Navis Classics)

A valuable re-release by any standards [DC]

Delius: Florida Suite, Paris, Brigg Fair (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) These are gorgeous performances and recordings of Delius favourites played unaffectedly yet con molto amore [RB]

Lehár: Symphonic Works, Piano Sonatas & 39 Lieder (cpo)

This very well-produced collection will appeal to those who enjoy Lehár’s operettas [EJW]

Torroba: La Voz De La Guitarra (BIS)

Original works for guitar, masterfully played [ZT]

Busoni: Doktor Faust (Naxos)

A new recording of Busoni’s operatic masterpiece which falls short of expectations in a number of aspects [PCG]

The Secrets of Andalusia (First Hand Records)

An enjoyable excursion through Southern Spain across three hundred years [GH]

Sweelinck: The Orpheus of Amsterdam (Pan Classics)

These excellent performances offer a different perspective on Sweelinck’s vocal and keyboard works [JV]

Glerup: Perhaps Thus The End (Dacapo)

If you are looking for harmony and easily accessible melodies this probably isn’t for you but it’s well played and full of emotion [KT]

Beethoven: Symphony No 5, Leonore Overture No 3 (BR Klassik)

Not necessarily so great an improvement over previous issues but wonderfully grand and energised [RMo]

Copland and his American Contemporaries (Avie)

(Déjà Review) A very good disc, which nicely rounds off a most stimulating mini-series [JQ]