Debussy
Loeffler: Octet; Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Delos)
Obligatory for anyone interested in American music at the turn of the twentieth century [WK]
Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (SWR Classic)
A problematic version of a problematic work, but Debussyians should investigate [SB]
Olga Samaroff & Frank La Forge (piano): The Complete Recordings (APR)
Highly enjoyable playing by two pioneers of American pianism [RCh]
Schulhoff, Debussy, Janáček, Antheil: Violin Sonatas (Genuin)
A wonderfully intelligent, interesting programme, superbly performed [NB]
Moriz Rosenthal (piano) Complete Solo Recordings (APR)
The complete recorded legacy of a great Golden Age pianist, ideally transferred to CD [RWe]
Belle époque – clarinet & orchestra recital (Pentatone)
Exceptionally fine playing and recording compromised by unbalanced programme and poor documentation [NB]
Debussy & Mozart: Songs (ECM)
(Déjà Review) Banse’s subtle, dark-toned soprano is ideal for this material [TH]
Debussy & Strauss (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
An auspicious launch for the Melbourne Symphony’s own label [JQ]
Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano) Poèmes de L’Amour (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Lovers of fine singing can purchase without hesitation now and enjoy an outstanding recording and performance [RJF]
Jacqueline Delman (soprano) More from my archives (Oak Grove)
A valuable documentation of Delman’s versatility, musically, repertoire-wise and linguistically [GF]
Around the World in 80 Minutes (Orchid Classics)
Well-chosen old favourites and new discoveries [JF]
Adriana von Franqué (piano) Filigrane (Genuin)
Floating, atmospheric, finely crafted Parisian music [JF]
Stravinsky: Petrouchka & Debussy: Jeux, Poème Dansé (Decca)
A fine follow-up to Klaus Mäkelä’s previous Stravinsky disc [JQ]
Barchet: Chamber Works (Hänssler Classic)
(Déjà Review) Full marks to Hänssler for giving enduring life to this most attractive and expert craftsman [JW]
Mischa Elman (violin): The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (Biddulph)
An Elman discographic lacuna is put right; fine transfers too [JW]
Ruby Hughes (soprano): End of My Days (BIS)
An outstanding recital; elegantly conceived, ideally recorded and beautifully performed [RHa]
Sandrine Piau (soprano) Reflet (Alpha Classics)
An attractive programme of French orchestral songs that will provide much enjoyment, but there are better versions of the well-known songs [PT]
Path to the Moon Works for cello & piano (Chandos)
Three sonatas and a raft of transcribed songs offer fruitful material for the Chandos pairing [JW]
Hues and Shades (recital) (Orchid Classics)
A sophisticated delight, full of subtle musicianship and expertly recorded [GPu]
Artur Rodziński (conductor): The Complete Columbia Album Collection (Sony Classical)
Sony’s second Rodziński box fills a significant gap from his Cleveland years [JH]
Claudio Arrau (piano) The Early Years (Marston)
(Déjà Review) No Arrau admirer would want to be without it [JW]
Phases (Musica Solis)
Impeccably performed easy-listening entertainment in the best sense of those words, but the playing time could have been more generous [GF]
Mer(s) (Appassionato)
Well-played performances hampered by a claustrophobic recording [NB]