Bach JS

ormandy philadelphia pristine

Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra – The Early Years Vol. 5 (Pristine Audio)

Excellent restorations of Ormandy’s ‘World’s Greatest Music’ recordings of the late-30s [JW]

J. S. Bach: Magnificat & Handel: Te Deum (Harmonia Mundi)

An odd combination of works, but both are performed well [JV]

heifetz Biddulph85053

Jascha Heifetz (violin) ‘Live’ Recordings (Biddulph)

Heifetz caught live in broadcasts playing some discographic novelties into the bargain [JW]

Forsling Guitar Mollerstrom Sterling ed RM

Erik Möllerström (guitar) Guitar (Sterling)

A survey of recordings by Erik Möllerström, which is mainly of historical interest [ZT]

Ravot voyages SOL1014

Marion Ravot (harp) Voyages (Solaire)

Bewitching total immersion in sublime harp sounds [DC]

peinemann radio meloclassic

Edith Peinemann (violin) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)

A set to treasure [SG]

golden thread APL53561

Golden Thread – The Art of Piano Transcription (Acis Productions)

An interesting collection of transcriptions let down by lacklustre playing [RCh]

J S Bach: Organ Works (Danacord)

(Déjà Review) I find these performances sure and faultless [GH]

Mischa Elman (violin): Complete HMV Recordings (Biddulph)

Elman in glowing pre-war Concerto recordings in London [JW]

Benjamin Appl (baritone) The Christmas Album (Alpha Classics)

This disc will certainly be my favourite Yuletide companion for years to come [GF]

Brendel APR5655

Alfred Brendel (piano) Busoni, Bach & Liszt (APR)

Admirers of Brendel will be glad to have these legendary recordings [SB]

Reimagining the Classics: Part 1

by David Barker

Forsling Guitar Mollerstrom Sterling ed RM

Erik Möllerström (guitar): Guitar (Sterling)

An issue not only for guitar afficionados, but for anyone who appreciates beautiful music [GF]

Bach Cello Suites Thomsen OUR 8.226922

Bach: Suites for Solo Cello (OUR Recordings)

An outstanding performance of these great works and a clear contender for Recording of the Year [PB]

Brendel Busoni Liszt SPA APR5655

Alfred Brendel (piano): The 1950s SPA Recordings (APR)

These pioneering and wonderfully executed performances are a valuable addition to Brendel’s discography (RCh)

grumiaux live meloclassic

Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Live Concert Performances (Meloclassic)

The epitome of violin playing, with interpretations thoughtful and profound [SG]

bach goldberg artway

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Artway)

A real mixed bag, maddeningly inconsistent with some quirky and mannered decisions [RMo]

busoni nicoara hanssler

Victor Nicoara (piano): Polyphonic Dreams (Hänssler Classic)

The version here of Busoni’s magnus opus for piano should now become the standard one [SB]

rosand memoriam rhine

Aaron Rosand (violin) In Memoriam (Rhine Classics)

The vibrant, alluring art of arch-Romanticist, Aaron Rosand [JW]

sirota recital sakuraphon

Leo Sirota (piano) Piano Recital Vol. 1 (Sakuraphon)

A full and varied recital programme, characterized by great dynamic range and highly creative phrasing [MK]

Elman victor 850502

Mischa Elman (violin)The complete Victor recordings (1926-32) (Biddulph)

Elman’s glittering morceau (and some others) in splendid transfers [JW]

Ysaye Transformations Max Tan Centaur CRC4129

Ysaÿe: Transformations (Centaur)

Bizarre transcriptions, fantastic performances [RMas]

bach cantatas eloquence

Bach: Cantatas (Eloquence)

(Déjà Review) A wonderful disc of Bach cantatas with a star cast [EML]

Bach: The Well-tempered Clavier Book II (Erato)

(Déjà Review) The set deserves the strongest recommendation, unless one prefers the piano [BW]