BIS
Stenhammar: String Quartets (BIS)
Distinguished music, including a premiere recording, given committed advocacy [RWe]
Mahler: Symphony No. 9 (BIS)
A warm, lyrical approach proves surprisingly satisfying [DMD]
Takemitsu: Spectral Canticle (BIS)
Sumptuous playing and sound entice us into Takemitsu’s magical kingdom [DM]
Castrapolis: Neapolitan Cantatas & Arias (BIS)
An attractive programme of largely unfamiliar music from ‘Baroque’ Naples [GPu]
Mazzoli: Dark with Excessive Bright (BIS)
Music that fascinates but has no place for ingratiation or meeting the general listener half-way [RB]
Palumbo: Woven Lights (BIS)
Impressively virtuosic, but struggles with emotional purchase [RB]
Bruckner: Symphony 4 (BIS)
Another weak instalment in this ongoing Bruckner cycle series [RMo]
Meditatio II – Music for mixed choir (BIS)
Calm and inspiring pieces, sung with exceptional control and beauty by this world-class chamber choir [GPJ]
Armenian Cello Concertos (BIS)
Fine performances of Soviet and post-Soviet cello concerti with a distinct Armenian accent [NB]
Music for Cornetto and Keyboard (BIS)
An instructive and compelling survey of Italian instrumental music from the late 16th and early 17th centuries [JV]
Szymanowski: Music for Violin and Piano (BIS)
Sensational Szymanowski played with utter technical control and expressive abandon [NB]
Haydn: String Quartets op. 33 No. 1-3 (BIS)
A very valid interpretation emphasizing Haydn’s wit and invention [LP]
Romeo and Juliet – Tchaikovsky on the Piano (BIS)
Extraordinary playing of the highest quality and familiar music shown in a new light [RCh]
Respighi: The Birds & Ancient Dances and Airs (BIS)
A performance worthy of the best classics, but with new, modern sound [DP]
Schubert: Elysium (BIS)
This journey to the Elysian fields is a recital that should satisfy all lovers of Schubert [GF]
Skalkottas: Concertos (BIS)
Fine performances of rare concertos continue BIS’s mammoth Skalkottas series [GH]
CPE Bach: Complete Keyboard Concertos Vol. 16 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) The latest volume in this epic project is as good a place as any to start and may be approached with confidence [BW]
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 14 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) A superb performance by all concerned; a worthy addition to the catalogue [JP]
Saint-Saëns: Violin Sonatas (BIS)
Very attractive music beautifully played and caught in ideally sympathetic sound [NB]
Chopin: Piano Concertos (BIS)
(Déjà Review) These fine chamber renderings of the Chopin concertos make them sound as if that is how they were meant to be [JL]